Here's what the MCPS Educational Foundation says on its website about the purpose of the Educational Foundation:
The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Educational Foundation, Inc. provides funds for special and innovative programs for MCPS that regular funds cannot support, even though each year about $12,722 is spent on each student to provide him or her with a quality educational program.
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With those funds, the MCPS Educational Foundation carefully awards funds to MCPS staff for projects designed to accomplish these goals: Establish scholarships for MCPS students, provide academic-enriching opportunities for students and staff, and provide grants to schools for after school interactive extended technology programs.
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And guess what! JOSHUA STARR is on the Board of Directors!
How cool is that to get a gig where you can approve your own fabulous all-expenses-paid trip to China!
And guess who else is on the Board of Directors of the MCPS Educational Foundation! Fellow traveler: REBECCA SMONDROWSKI!
In answer to the question posed in title of this post: NO
ReplyDeleteWhat about Devitt Holly Keller, identified as Ms. Smondrowski's spuose, in the list, here http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/partnerships/Resources/Files/5_MC_China_Trip_DelegationList.pdf? And, what about Spark Matsunaga principal Judy Brubaker? Who is paying their expenses? Click here for the official Mission Book: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/partnerships/Resources/Files/6_MC_China_Trip_MissionBook.pdf
ReplyDeleteWait, I thought the participants had to pay their own way! Did the money really come from the Foundation? How many teachers and students could have benefited from that money? I know many at my school who could use just a portion of the funds to make a huge difference!! They should be ashamed.
ReplyDeletereally did
Deletehttp://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2013/09/starrs-and-benzs-expenses-are-being.html
They are not obligated to pay their own way. Obviously the Board of Education's policy is different from the County Government. Regarding the Education Foundation, someone might want to MPIA their emails to see if this was discussed prior to the 'grant' awarded to Starr and Smondrowski, at least. I also note no one from the Planning Board is listed as going on the trip, and neither is anyone from the Parks or Planning Departments. Good on them. Apparently China's 'central planning' is not appealing enough.
ReplyDelete