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Introduction
Board meeting begins with Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. Agenda is revised and appointments are announced for associate superintendent position.
Detailed AI Generated Summary for [Board of Education – Board Business Meeting – 5/25/23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk )
Appointments
[00:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=8 ) New appointments in Montgomery County Public Schools
– Several new appointments were announced in the Office of Facilities Management, Office of Special Education, and Division of Title One and Early Childhood Programs and Services.
– The appointees have years of experience in various roles within Montgomery County Public Schools and are committed to serving students, staff, and communities.
[11:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=700 ) Miss Shanti F spa appointed as principal of Falls Mill Elementary School
– Miss Shanti F spa has been employed with M.C.P.S. for 14 years and has experience as a teacher, staff development teacher, assistant principal, and most recently as principal intern at Glenallen Elementary School.
– Mr. Stephen Peter Young has been appointed as principal of Wingate Elementary School and comes to M.C.P.S. with more than 21 years of elementary education experience.
Public Comments
[23:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=1387 ) Support for LGBTQ+ curriculum in MCPS
– LGBTQ+ students want representation in curriculum and opting out can harm their mental health and development.
– Eliminating opt-out option acknowledges the identity of LGBTQ+ students and reduces likelihood of transphobia or homophobia.
[28:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=1696 ) Support for inclusive curriculum and opposition to construction on tennis courts
– Students support eliminating opt-out option for evolution teachings
– Tennis team opposes construction of portable classrooms on courts
– LGBTQ+ student advocates for more inclusive curriculum
[37:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=2271 ) New agreement between CIA and M.C.P.S. ratified by union
– Agreement provides wage and working condition enhancements
– School system relying on one-time funding sources for operating expenses
[42:23]( https://youtu.be/bp-FeH4Y9gk?t=2543 ) Allowing opt-out for sensitive content is not about hate or bias, but about respecting religious beliefs.
– Islamic beliefs are rooted in sacred texts and cannot be altered.
– Islamic teachings on family structures and sexual norms have remained unanimous for over 1400 years.
[53:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=3234 ) M.C.P.S. decision to avoid the opt-out option violates First Amendment rights
– Students’ sincerely held religious beliefs are being violated without notice or feedback
– M.C.P.S. cannot preach tolerance and inclusivity while practicing intolerance to another community
[59:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=3555 ) Reinstate opt-out option for parents to respect religious and moral values
– Allowing opt-out option respects all communities and people of different perspectives
– Opt-out can be made without disrupting the school’s overall mission
[1:07:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=4067 ) Reinstate opt-out option for religious beliefs
– Parents report bullying of children for religious beliefs
– Removal of opt-out option contradicts tolerance and acceptance values
BOE Members Discussion
[1:12:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=4377 ) MCPS is aligning with state law to include LGBTQ+ texts in classrooms.
– Parents can only opt out of the Human Growth and Sexuality course.
– MCPS has been working to include more inclusive texts in all classes over the past few years.
[1:23:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=4997 ) Difficult budget decisions made for county school system
– Board prioritizes improving literacy and mathematics and fully staffing schools
– Critical services to be moved to federal funding that ends next year
[1:28:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=5315) MCPS fully funds negotiated contracts
– MCPS will celebrate fully funding negotiated contracts in the next board meeting on June 6th
– Adjustments were made in accelerators to reconcile the budget and prioritize student needs
[1:37:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=5848) MCPS budget reduced by $74.3 million
– Local contribution reduced by $74.3 million, largest request ever made
– Federal revenue increased by $23.2 million due to title one and idea grants
[1:42:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=6155) Budget shortfall of $88.1 million to be closed through fund balances, increased estimate for laps and turnover, moving expenses for 24 from operating budget to Esther, reducing accelerators, and making cuts to current operating budget.
– Three legs of the budget request were for increasing enrollment, inflationary costs, and accelerators.
– Employee compensation was funded by the County Council, leaving two legs of the stool unfunded.
[1:52:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=6750) Funds from summer school will be used for other expenses, while some positions will remain unfunded.
– Curriculum, psychologist positions, and community coordinators will be funded with summer school funds.
– Accelerator positions, math and literacy coaches, and security system positions will remain unfunded but will be discussed in the next fiscal year.
[1:57:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=7026) Next year’s budget process will be challenging without federal funds.
– Employee compensation costs will be $110 million.
– Additional costs include hiring teachers for 2000 new students and inflationary costs.
[2:07:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=7623) Managing expectations for next year’s budget
– Reduction or elimination of out-of-school time activities due to lack of funding
– Delay in expansion of immersion and innovative calendar schools and security camera systems
[2:11:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=7905) Budget cuts impact professional development and summer school
– Three professional development days and one summer school program have been eliminated due to budget cuts
– Communication and evaluation of program funding is needed for a sustainable budget
[2:21:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=8484) Update on student participation and performance in financial literacy and graduation requirements
– Discussions on financial literacy connect to academic excellence and increasing graduation rates
– Equity impact questions considered in decision-making process
– Progress report on implementing four options for financial literacy education
– Reminder of past decision-making process for increasing health requirement
[2:26:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=8760) Options for financial literacy courses
– Credit and non-credit bearing options available
– Online and in-person courses offered with service learning opportunities
[2:35:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=9335) Financial literacy courses to be available online and in-person
– Newly branded financial mathematics course to be available in fall with online modules
– Efforts to make courses more accessible for ML students and increase personal finance elective growth
[2:40:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=9638 ) SSL project implementation and language limitations for SSL students
– SSL project implementation needs to be authentic and have a process for teacher review and certification
– Online modules are available in Spanish, but online learning can be challenging for some students with language limitations
[2:51:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=10276) Exploring alternative ways to fulfill SSL graduation requirement
– Consider offering online modules or testing out options
– Align with ongoing work on college career readiness pathways
[2:56:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=10594) New CCR requirements may impact student schedules and choices
– SSL projects are purposefully built into some courses to help students meet graduation requirements
– Additional requirements such as end-of-course exams in science and social studies may further impact student schedules and choices
[3:06:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=11189) Consider gathering another year’s worth of data before making monetary literacy a graduation requirement.
– Accessibility concerns need to be addressed before implementing a graduation requirement.
– Staffing and funding need to be evaluated to ensure equitable implementation.
[3:11:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=11492) M.C.P.S. considering financial literacy for all students
– Data on SSL hours and math courses helpful for decision-making
– Financial literacy fits into competencies and experiences for college and career readiness
[3:18:02]( https://youtu.be/bp-FeH4Y9gk?t=11889 ) MCPS is considering virtual learning as an option for school closures
– Virtual plan must be presented publicly and approved by Board of Education
– Virtual learning would be used during multiday events and requires preparation and communication
[3:26:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=12407) MCPS is continuing to provide technology and connectivity for families at home.
– MCPS will continue to provide 1 to 1 devices and extra Chromebooks for families.
– MCPS will also continue to provide web conferencing opportunities and support for families.
[3:36:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=12992) Implementing virtual learning during multiday events
– Virtual learning can provide continuity of instruction during multiday events like Snowmageddon
– Consideration should be given to equity and the impact on families when implementing virtual learning
[3:41:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=13291) Maryland State Department of Education allows virtual learning on inclement weather days
– Virtual learning on inclement weather days counts towards the 180 days of instruction required by the state
– Superintendent of schools may use discretion when transitioning to virtual learning on days when school buildings are closed
[3:53:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=13984) The school board modified the 2023-2024 traditional and innovative school year calendars to designate May 14th, 2024 as a holiday and November 10th, 2023, February 15th, 2024, February 16th, 2024, and May 15th, 2024 as instructional days for all staff and students.
– The modification was necessary to maintain 182 instructional days for students.
– The previously scheduled non-instructional day was designated for instruction due to budget constraints.
[3:58:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=14329) Capital improvement project proposed for Greencastle Elementary School
– Project includes a large addition to the front of the building, accessibility improvements, and modifications to the parking area and bus loop
– Current issues include a high number of portable classrooms, limited restroom facilities, and inadequate space for staff and resources
[4:08:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=14897) All toilets in the building will be made accessible and there will be inclusive restrooms.
– Restrooms will be added in the middle of the building, above the instrumental music room.
– All toilets will be single user and there will be three in the kindergarten classrooms, one in the health suite, and two in the admin suite.
[4:12:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=15177) Cost to add a bathroom is not significant
– Planning and demolishing required for first floor
– New plumbing and accessible restrooms to be added on second floor
[4:24:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp-FeH4Y9gk&t=15843) Board meeting concludes with unanimous approval of consent items
– Board members discussed the need to understand pieces before voting on the final resolution
– Congratulations were given to Greencastle on a long-awaited journey update
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