No, teachers you still can't have your COLAs. We bought Promethean Boards.

In last week's edition of the MCPS publication The Bulletin, teachers ask the following question:

Q: Since we are entitled to be repaid $24 million by the state, will we be able to get our cost of living adjustments on July 1? How will the money be used?
A: The additional state revenue due to Montgomery County that may become available next fiscal year will not permit funding for a general wage adjustment because of the continuing dire economic situation....

Good question. But the answer fails to tell teachers that last summer MCPS' COO Larry Bowers entered into a 4 year lease for 2,600 Promethean Boards using, in part, unappropriated funds. Another 700 Promethean Boards haven't been accounted for in Board of Education minutes or procurement documents. In total the 3,300 Promethean Boards now in MCPS classrooms cost MCPS around $20 million.

That's just about the amount of the COLA's.

What Really Motivates Parent Activists

Today's Washington Post include Letters to the Editor on "What Really Motivates Parent Activists".

Five Candidates Run for Student Member of Board

The nominating convention, which narrows the field to two candidates, will be held March 5, and the new student Board member will be elected on April 29.
Meet the Candidates

March 3rd County Council lunch with Board of Education

The Montgomery County Council's agenda shows a lunch meeting with the MCPS Board of Education on March 3rd. The Board of Education agenda has no such listing.
At a lunch between the Council and Board last year, sandwiches and sodas were provided by a caterer. As the Council looks for ways to economize, a suggestion would be that the March 3rd joint lunch be "brown bag".
In furtherance of open government it would be hoped that the Board of Education would begin to announce these meetings on their agenda.