BOE Policies Out for Comment on Energy Conservation, Student Discipline

The Montgomery County Board of Education is seeking comments on proposed amendments to Board Policy ECA, Energy Conservation, to meet requirements in Maryland law and to align with the Montgomery County Climate Action Plan. The policy has been available for comment since Jan. 13. Public comments are due by Friday, April 7.

A new title is proposed to reflect a focus on sustainability: Policy ECA, Sustainability. The draft policy, a video presentation and the opportunity to provide public comments are available here.

The draft establishes a sustainability framework and decision-making priorities that—

• identify actions that can be taken immediately and longer term to reduce the generation of greenhouse gases and consumption of nonrenewable resources;
• equitably and strategically deploy resources, and utilize design strategies and retrofits to make new and existing buildings more sustainable, resilient and efficient;
• actively manage energy and water consumption with enhanced monitoring technology;
• increase the generation and production of solar energy and use of other renewable energy sources;
• include waste reduction and greenhouse gas emissions in decisions related to purchasing;
• convert or replace MCPS vehicles from diesel and gasoline to electric, hybrid or other more efficient or cleaner-fuel vehicles; and
• infuse sustainability concepts across school curricula in accordance with Maryland State Department of Education Environmental Literacy Standards.

Reminder: Comments on Amendments to Student Discipline Policy Due by Feb. 7

The Board is also seeking comments on proposed amendments to Board Policy JGA, Student Discipline, to implement changes required by Maryland law. Maryland law requires “restorative approaches” that foster positive, respectful, orderly and safe learning environments necessary for effective learning. The policy has been available for comment since Dec. 2. Public comments are due by Monday, Feb. 7.

A new title is proposed to reflect this restorative approach: Policy JGA, Behavior Intervention, Safety, and Well-being Plan. The draft policy, a video presentation and the opportunity to provide public comments are available here.

The draft includes a relationship-focused model for behavior intervention and safety that—

• is primarily proactive and preventative;
• emphasizes building strong relationships;
• setting clear behavioral expectations that contribute to the school community well-being;
• responds to behavior that violates clear behavior expectations,
• focuses on accountability for any harm done by the problem behavior; and
• addresses ways to repair the relationships affected by the problem behavior with the voluntary participation of an individual who was harmed.

Review draft Policy JGA.

Submit comments on draft Policy JGA.