Pearson-Weast Timeline

As first reported on this blog, a month after Superintendent Jerry Weast surprised the public with a contract to sell MCPS elementary school curriculum to Pearson Education, Inc., he was on a plane to Australia for a 12 day junket paid for by The Pearson Foundation.

Here's a look back at the 2010 timeline of events:

May 21st

• Alleghany County Public Schools news release announces their superintendent will travel to Australia as part of a Pearson Foundation funded trip.

June 7th

• Montgomery County Board of Education releases to public proposed contract with Pearson Education, Inc.

June 8th 

• Surprise Pearson Education, Inc. contract is on Board of Education agenda for meeting.  Pearson Education, Inc. has press release written and posted to their website as Board of Education votes on contract. 
• Contract between Board of Education and Pearson Education, Inc. signed

July 7th  

• Jerry Weast and his wife begin 12 day trip to Australia with Pearson Foundation

July 8th 

• Board of Education meeting.  Weast is absent. COO Larry Bowers says Weast is "on leave this week."  Board member Michael Durso comments on how busy schools are during the summer months.

July 18th

• Weast's trip to Australia ends
• Examiner cover story:  School boss's choice:  Leave or get canned

August 4th

• MCPS awarded up to $5 million for I3 Grant from Department of Education for "partnering" with Pearson Education, Inc. 

August 24th

• Maryland State Board of Education slams Montgomery County Board of Education for entering into contract to sell curriculum to Pearson Education, Inc. 
• Jerry Weast announces he is stepping down in June of 2011

November 4th

• Contract with Pearson Education, Inc. is amended, but amended contract has not been released to the public or voted on at a public Board of Education meeting.   January 29, 2012 - UPDATE:  Parents' Coalition releases amendment to Pearson Education, Inc. contract showing that Pearson payment was reduced from $4.5 million to $1.25 million by Superintendent Jerry Weast without Board of Education approval.