Watch Meeting by Agenda Item

Full Agenda (PDF)

Acknowledgement of a Quorum

Approval of the Agenda

Public Comments

Board/Superintendent Comments

Oral Update on the Opening of Schools

The Board heard a report from MCPS staff on the opening of schools. MCPS welcomed nearly 149,000 students on Monday, August 27, 2012, an increase of more than 2,500 students from 2011.

The first day of school was highlighted by the opening of Flora M. Singer Elementary School in Silver Spring, MCPS’ first new school in three years, and the newly modernized Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville.

Both projects were built using green construction materials and have environmentally friendly features. MCPS hired 800 new teachers and more than 200 supporting services staff over the summer to support the district’s growing enrollment.

Consent items

The Board of Education approved contracts and a request for supplemental funding for a technology infrastructure improvement project. The proposal will provide wireless access in every MCPS school. The proposal will also place a Promethean interactive whiteboard in every elementary school classroom by the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year. Currently, 34 elementary schools have no Promethean interactive whiteboards and 80 elementary schools have fewer than 10 Promethean interactive whiteboards. Similarly, only 31 of the 132 elementary schools have full-building wireless connectivity, and only 11 of our 25 comprehensive high schools have comparable full-building wireless network coverage. The money for these technology improvements is included in the FY 2013-FY 2018 Capital Improvement Program, approved by the Montgomery County Council in May. The request assumes the use of federal Education Rate (E-Rate) dollars that must be appropriated by the County Council.

Human Resources and Development Monthly Report

Preliminary Plans―Modernization of Wheaton HS and Thomas Edison HS of Technology

The Board of Education received preliminary plans for the modernization of Wheaton High School and Thomas Edison High School of Technology. The modernized Wheaton High School facility is scheduled to open in August of 2015, and the Thomas Edison facility will open in 2017.

Superintendent Joshua Starr recommended new, innovative programs and learning opportunities for both schools to the Board that will enhance efforts to prepare students for success in the 21st century. Among the changes under consideration is the creation of a project-based learning environment at Wheaton High School that would allow students to work across curricular areas and employ 21st century skills, such as collaboration, communication, analysis and creativity.

Instructional improvement for Thomas Edison will include the addition of a Homeland Security program that will prepare students for further education and employment. MCPS is also in preliminary discussion with Junior Achievement to offer a financial literacy program at Edison for all MCPS middle school students. Read the Board memo
More information on program improvements at Wheaton/Edison

Final Action, Policy CND, School-Related Fund-Raising

The Board of Education approved changes to Policy CND, School-Related Fund-raising. On March 13, 2012, the Board tentatively approved these changes and sent the revised policy out for public comment. Five comments were received. The policy provides a framework for school-related fund-raising activities in or on behalf of Montgomery County Public Schools that safeguards instructional time, maximizes the safety of students, supports a common school experience for all students, and includes appropriate accountability provisions. See the revised policy .

Board of Education Items

The Board has concluded its discussions on operating budget interests and has selected its top 10 interests for Fiscal Year 2014. This is the second year that the Board has shared its budgetary interests with Dr. Starr as he begins the process of developing an operating budget recommendation for the next fiscal year. Dr. Starr will present his FY 2014 Operating Budget recommendation to the Board in December.Read the Board memo

Items of Information

Adjournment