Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget Virtual Presentation Set for Dec. 18

Superintendent of Schools Jack R. Smith will host a virtual community conversation to present his Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget Recommendation on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m. As part of the presentation, Dr. Smith and MCPS staff will take questions from the community and answer them live. Questions may be submitted online or by text message to 724-990-8433. The December 18, 2018, presentation can be viewed live on Comcast Channel 34, Verizon FIOS Channel 36, and RCN Channel 88, as well as through the MCPS website: https://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/fy2018/live.aspx

Dr. Smith presented the framework for his recommended FY 2020 operating budget to the Board of Education on Dec. 4.  He outlined the budget’s focus on student classrooms and schools, including the following key bodies of work:  improving programs; increasing access to strong academic and career opportunities; extending learning; providing language opportunities; focusing on physical, social, and psychological well-being; hiring and retaining an effective and diverse workforce; and strengthening operational excellence.

The proposed budget is organized around learning, accountability and results; human capital; operational excellence; community partnerships and engagement; and improving teaching and learning.

The timeline for the FY 2020 operating budget is as follows:

December 18, 2018:  the superintendent’s FY 2020 operating budget virtual presentation;

Mid-December 2018 through early January 2019:  members of the community can sign-up for operating budget hearings;

January 9 and January 14, 2019:  operating budget hearings;

January 17 and 24, 2019: Board operating budget work sessions; and

February 12, 2019:  Board takes action on the recommended operating budget

Read information about the operating budget process and public participation.

Read the FY 2020 Operating Budget Guide.

Earn Student Service Learning Hours Over Winter Break

Winter break is a great time for students to become involved in service activities and earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Students can participate in a range of activities—working at a soup kitchen, cleaning up a local park, or collecting items for a clothing or food drive. All MCPS students need 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school.

Check out the various organizations and opportunities that are already approved for SSL hours. Also, don’t forget that all service hours performed during the first semester must be turned in to the school’s SSL coordinator no later than Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.

Student Service Learning

Help MCPS Receive Critical Impact Aid Grants

Impact Aid programs and grants are designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students. The grants from these programs become part of the MCPS general operating budget and support instructional activities. To qualify for Impact Aid funding, MCPS must determine how many of its parents/guardians are in active duty with the uniformed services; employed on federal property; reside in federal or public housing; and/or are a foreign government military officer. MCPS uses the Federal Impact Aid Survey that is distributed to all families to collect this information. For each school-aged child in your household, please complete and return the survey as soon as possible. The survey is available on the MCPS website. Your participation is critical to ensuring that MCPS receives its fair share of federal Impact Aid grant funds. If you have any questions, contact the MCPS Division of the Controller at 301-279-3230.

Junior Achievement Essay Contest Open to High School Students

The 2019 Junior Achievement Essay Competition opens Dec. 17. High school students have until Feb.15, 2019 to submit an application and a 1,000-1,500 word essay.

This year’s topic is: “What would make your high school experience more relevant to your future?”

Essays will be judged on creativity and originality; persuasiveness; grammar and spelling; understanding of subject matter; and relevancy of response to topic question. The grand prize winner will receive a $20,000 award; first, second and third place winners will receive $10,000.

More information

Deadline Extended for Public Comment on Policy KEA

The Montgomery County Board of Education has extended the deadline for public comment on draft Board Policy KEA, Political Campaigns and Political Materials (KEA), and changing the policy name to Civic Engagement, Political Campaigns, and Political Materials. The revised and renamed policy reflects the Board’s desire to permit students to receive excused absences for participation in civic engagement activities.

During the latter part of the 2017-2018 school year, numerous MCPS students became very involved in important issues confronting our country and even received national recognition for their engagement. As a result, students, families and Board Members expressed interest in supporting student participation in civic activities without impact on their attendance status.  Currently, Policy KEA permits students in grades 9-12 to participate in political campaign activity during school hours during the two-week period immediately prior to a primary or general election, at the request of the political candidate or organization with written parent/guardian consent, and written approval of the principal/designee.

Public comments will be accepted until Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019.

Read Revised Policy KEA

Comment on Revised Policy KEA

The Board is also seeking comment on three other policies—Policy BBB, Ethics; Policy BFA,Policysetting; and Policy IGK, Career and Technology Education. Deadline for comment on these policies is also Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019.

Visit this webpage to read the draft policies and to offer comment.