Montgomery County Public Schools uses AI-supported tool to improve safety [FYI: No Contract]

...A local parents' group wants to see the contract between the Bethesda-based company and MCPS.

"This has not been discussed at the Board of Education. This has not had any procurement process so once again, we see MCPS making a deal with a company behind closed doors," said Janis Sartucci of the Parents'Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland.

The Coalition filed a Maryland Public Information Act request to secure a copy of the contract between VOLT AI and MCPS.

"There's an agreement with a company that's going to effectively be able to watch students in hallways, and there's no documentation that's been made public," Sartucci said.

Sartucci showed 7News a letter she received from MCPS saying, "There are no contracts, invoices, receipts, or purchase orders from VOLT AI. The 30-day pilot program is a no-cost agreement."

She also told us at a meeting earlier this month, MCPS Chief Safety Officer Marcus Jones assured the school community that lawyers from both sides had thoroughly vetted the agreement between the school system and VOLT AI...

 https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-county-public-schools-volt-ai-supported-tool-improve-safety-maryland-student-staff-safety-technology-surveillance-medical-emergency-medical-weapons-flag-tech-community

MCPS was Stopped from Moving Seven Locks ES to another site. IG Exposed MCPS Fib about Cost Data.

In 2006, MCPS was stopped by the Montgomery County Council from moving Seven Locks Elementary School to another site after a scathing report was released by the Montgomery County Inspector General.  The IG found that MCPS had fibbed about construction costs.  

A few weeks after the IG's report was released the County Council defunded the project and Seven Locks Elementary School was not moved. 

The superintendent's plan had been to hand the existing site over to developers. 

Here's the timeline of what happened: 

FEBRUARY, 2006: Montgomery County Inspector General Thomas Dagley releases a 25-page report that faults MCPS for providing misleading and inflated cost data about renovating Seven Locks Elementary and failing to provide the board and council with information about two less costly options on the site. The report also states that MCPS misrepresented community sentiment in reports to the board and council. In response, Councilmember Howard Denis (R-1) says he’ll introduce a CIP amendment to halt plans to build on Kendale and instead build a new school on the current Seven Locks site...

https://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2006/feb/14/seven-locks-controversy-timeline/

The Montgomery County Council affirmed March 28 that it will not fund the construction of an elementary school on Kendale Road in Potomac — an outcome that was nearly inconceivable three months ago...

https://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2006/mar/28/if-not-kendale-then-what/

ABC7 Found $10M in Unapproved Spending by MCPS Administrators. Board of Education Asleep at the Wheel.

Report raises questions about spending at Montgomery County Public Schools

by Kellye Lynn

Tue, November 25, 2025 at 6:01 AM

Updated Tue, November 25, 2025 at 7:08 AM

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A new inspector general report shows Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) failed to get school board approval for more than a million dollars in payments to various vendors.

The review comes just three months after 7News told you thousands of MCPS employees had outdated criminal history checks.

The Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General conducted a review of the school system's procurement process. The report focused on fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

It found the Division of Procurement, which purchases supplies and equipment for MCPS, failed to follow laws, regulations and procedures for expenditures.

For instance, the school system is required to get Board of Education approval for purchases over $25,000, but in several cases, that didn't happen...

“We just saw the State Board of Education determine that the electric school bus bid award was made illegally. How many illegal things are we going to have before there's some prosecution or action?” Janis Sartucci said.

https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-county-inspector-general-report-million-without-broad-approval-procurement-review-spending-education-vendor-payments-accountability-jp-morgan-chase-policy-violations-maryland-transparency-oversight

Natali Fani-González on WAMU: "We need more transparency from MCPS."

 WAMU link Go to minute 46 of the broadcast for Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez's response

to a question about the announcement that MCPS was owed $1.5 million dollars from Highland Electric Fleets

and/or HET MCPS, LLC their electric school bus vendor.

WUSA9: Montgomery Co. Public Schools loses out on $39M in funding due to a submission error

The multi-million-dollar loss was due to an error in the Montgomery County Public Schools submission for aid in the Charles W. Woodward Project.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County Public Schools has lost more than $39 million in funding due to a submission error, according to a letter from Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor.

The 288-page letter outlines a recommended capital budget for Fiscal Year 2026 and includes suggestions on how the district can make up for the huge loss in state aid...

...Janis Sartucci, a member of Parents’ Coalition of Montgomery County wants to know how an almost 40-million-dollar mistake slipped through the cracks.

“There are multiple steps and lots of people involved in approving these construction contracts. This isn’t just someone making a minor error. And, who suffers? The community, schools, this 17 million could be going to other needs in our system.” Sartucci, said...

MCPS loses out on $39M in funding due to a submission error | wusa9.com

New report says Montgomery County Public Schools wasted millions on electric buses

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — In 2022 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) was touting itself as one of the leading school districts in America regarding electric buses.

It signed a contract a year earlier with Highland Electric Fleets to deliver more than 300 electric buses to replace its diesel-powered buses.

Our investigation two years ago uncovered that not all buses arrived on their original delivery dates. Four months in only 7 out of the promised 25 buses were transporting your children.

Now a scathing report from the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General reveals the $160 million contract with Highland for 326 electric school buses turned into a massive delay of buses for years...

The Parents Coalition of Montgomery County, a taxpayer's watchdog group, is outraged.

"What do you think is alarming for parents to see out of that report?" asked 7News Investigative Reporter Scott Taylor.

"Tremendous amount of waste of dedicated education funding. These are our precious education dollars," said Janis Sartucci with the Parents Coalition of Montgomery County...

https://wjla.com/features/i-team/montgomery-county-public-schools-mcps-electric-buses-montgomery-county-inspector-general-report-highland-electric-fleets-contract-deisel-powered-buses-mechanical-issues-charging-issues-maryland-schools-school-bus-transportation#

MCPS system did not adhere to its policies on emergency procurement, report finds

..."It's more of the same. We've been watching Montgomery County for over 20 years do this same kind of emergency, hide the ball procurement and once again they're doing the same thing they've done in the past," said Janis Sartucci of the Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County.

The Montgomery County Education Association is also upset about the findings writing, stating, "MCPS misspent valuable tax dollars...it shifted time and attention away from what should have been its top priority: our students."

7News also received a text message from a parent who has a student who attends the Montgomery Virtual Academy.

That program was eliminated due to recent budget cuts...

https://wjla.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/montgomery-county-public-schools-memorandum-investigation-interim-superintendent-emergency-procurement-policies-parents-student-reaction-mcps#

BOE Election Coverage: Three school board seats up for grabs in contentious Montgomery County race

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Voters in Maryland are casting their ballots Tuesday, including for key races on county school boards. In Montgomery County, three seats are up for grabs. At Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, no classes are being held due to the primary. While there are elections for president and Congress, the school board races have equal, if not greater, importance for voters today. Three of the seven seats on the Montgomery County School Board are on the ballot. All three incumbents are running, with a total of 14 candidates vying for the non-partisan, four-year terms...

...Some residents, like Janis Zink Sartucci from the Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, expressed skepticism about the impact of the election outcomes. "I've been observing the Board of Education for over 20 years," Sartucci said. "In the past decade, I've seen them gradually relinquish power to superintendents and various MCPS administrators. Many school-related and budget-related decisions are now made outside the board's purview.".. 

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/three-school-board-seats-up-for-grabs-in-contentious-montgomery-county-race

Former Superintendent McKnight to get $1.3M in MCPS separation deal

In a bombshell dropped Friday night, FOX 5 received a public information request revealing Montgomery County Public School’s former superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight will receive $1.3 million as part of her separation agreement. FOX 5’s Sierra Fox reports from Rockville with more...

https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1427645

MCPS faces criticism for employing 2 former principals involved in 2018 assault cases

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — At a February 8 Montgomery County Council meeting about the Inspector General report on MCPS' complaint processing, a councilmember referred to the 2018 Damascus High School sexual assault case.

Laurie-Anne Sayles asked MCPS Chief of Human Resources April Key a pointed question about the school's former principal and head football coach.

"Is the coach and principal still employed by MCPS?" she queried.

"Yes, they are," answered Key regarding former Damascus High Principal Casey Crouse and former coach Eric Wallich...

https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-county-public-schools-mcps-faces-criticism-for-employing-former-principals-involved-in-2018-assault-cases-damascus-gaithersburg-high-school-councilmember

Report: Montgomery County Public Schools lacks protocol around complaints

https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/maryland/montgomery-county/report-montgomery-county-public-schools-lacks-protocol-around-complaints/

Montgomery County Schools superintendent says board wants her to resign

...In September, the Office of the Montgomery County Inspector General (OIG) announced that it would open two investigations related to allegations against Farquhar Middle School Principal Dr. Joel Beidleman and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) handling of misconduct complaints. Officials claimed he was unanimously promoted during a June meeting to become the principal at an area high school – all while being under investigation for sexual harassment.

You can read more about that investigation here.

"It's basically the Real Housewives of Rockville at the moment. It's a big soap opera," said Janis Zink Sartucci, a member of the Parents Coalition.

She told WUSA9 that this is "a huge distraction," and said "whatever is going on and whoever was involved, the school board should just handle it."..

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/montgomery-county-schools-superintendent-board-wants-her-to-resign/65-f0393998-3ffb-4583-95e2-b20b0787077c

'I will defend my reputation:' MCPS superintendent fights back after being asked to 'step away' from role

The Board of Education is calling on the superintended to step down. The sudden move is now causing people to ask what Dr. Monifa McKnight knew about the harassment scandal involving former middle school principal Dr. Joel Biedleman and how she may have been involved. FOX 5's Sierra Fox has the story.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/mcps-superintendent-monifa-mcknight-fights-back-after-being-asked-to-step-away-from-role.amp

@mocoboe Board of Education asks @MCPS Superintendent to "Step Away" from job

https://www.dcnewsnow.com/video/board-of-education-asks-montgomery-county-public-schools-superintendent-to-‘step-away’-from-job/9351685/

 

Michael Durso’s long history with MCPS draws pointed reactions to his new role

Former board member, principal with more than 44 years of education experience named acting chief of staff

Montgomery County Public Schools has hired former Board of Education member Michael Durso to serve as the acting chief of staff after the departure of Brian Stockton...

...Cram declined to disclose Durso’s pay to MoCo360, writing that a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) must be filed. Durso told MoCo360 that his pay will likely hover around a $230,000 yearly salary, although his pay has not yet been finalized and papers still need to be signed.

The chief of staff has one of the highest paid positions in MCPS. In February 2023, MoCo360 reported that as chief of staff for MCPS, Stockton made a yearly salary of $226,244...

...Janis Sartucci, a member of the Parents’ Coalition, a watchdog parent advocacy group, told MoCo360 that the group believes Durso is the wrong person to bring to the school system as it is in “recovery mode.”

Sartucci also stated that while Durso was a member and president of the school board, he had the opportunity to update the MCPS Code of Conduct in a way that could have prevented the long-term abuses of principal Joel Beidleman.

The watchdog group is left wondering: Why MCPS is “recycling” former school board members?

https://moco360.media/2024/01/10/michael-dursos-long-history-with-mcps-draws-pointed-reactions-to-his-new-role/

Senior staff and administrators with Montgomery County Public Schools listed in a complaint have been cleared of alleged misconduct, according to report from the county Inspector General’s office.

2 MCPS administrators cleared following allegations of misconduct

https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1393732

 

Navarro’s MCPS pay released: three months, $96.62 per hour

Nancy Navarro will be making $96.62 an hour during her three-month, part-time stint as Montgomery County Public Schools’ senior adviser for external affairs, according to a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request filed by MoCo360 and answered via letter late Thursday.

Based on the IRS definition of a part-time employee, Navarro could work up to 30 hours per week or 130 a month. At her current hourly rate, she could pocket up to $37,681 in three months...

...After Navarro was hired, school community members, county residents and advocates were eager to learn about her compensation and details surrounding the decision-making. At the time of the announcement, MCPS spokesperson Chris Cram did not answer questions about Navarro’s employment and the details of her employment were unknown until now.

Janis Sartucci, a member of the Montgomery County Parents Coalition, an advocacy and MCPS watchdog group, said at the time that the hiring was “shocking” and brought into question the priorities of the school system.

“We’ve seen other superintendents … that would bring in consultants, advisers, mentors and to be honest, we always have the same question: Why are those positions more important than classroom teachers? Is that what it means to fund an education system?” Sartucci said.

She echoed that sentiment of Friday, saying that teachers “beg” for school supplies in a Facebook group and believes that should be a spending priority that comes before hiring an senior adviser.

Sartucci also said that she and other advocates are left wondering if Navarro will have an expense account, credit card or a car, and whether Board of Education had involvement in the hiring process...

Navarro’s MCPS pay released: three months, $96.62 per hour | MoCo360

An MCPS spokesperson did not answer questions about Navarro’s compensation or her start date. [Navarro already refusing to answer questions about her position.]

Superintendent McKnight hires Nancy Navarro as senior adviser for external affairs at MCPS

...Janis Sartucci a member of the Montgomery County Parents Coalition, an advocacy and MCPS watchdog group, said that the hiring was “shocking” and brings into question the priorities of the school system.

Members of the MCCPTA did not immediately respond to MoCo360’s request for comment.

“We’ve seen other superintendents … that would bring in consultants, advisers, mentors and to be honest, we always have the same question: Why are those positions more important than classroom teachers? Is that what it means to fund an education system?” Sartucci said.

She continued that some teachers don’t have enough resources to buy classroom supplies.

“I think a lot of the public, the voters might think when they fund education, they’re funding classrooms and teachers and school buildings. Yet the reality we see is we’re funding administrators, consultants, mentors. And I think that’s where we need transparency.”

At this time, it is unclear how much Navarro will be paid in this new position. An MCPS spokesperson did not answer questions about Navarro’s compensation or her start date.

Sartucci added that another concern was that it appeared to her that McKnight hired Navarro without bringing the hire to the Board of Education. MoCo360 inquired about this concern with an MCPS spokesperson, but they did not immediately respond on Wednesday evening and Monday morning by email.

“We prefer to see as much transparency as possible so the public can be involved and make their own decisions on what is in the best interest of the school system and what the voters of Montgomery County want,” she added.

A blog post on the Parents’ Coalition’s website has also compiled a list of past issues the group has documented while Navarro was a school board member and County Council member. Some issues include not allowing a student to enroll at MCPS, violations of Open Meetings Act and closing special education programs.

MoCo360 was unable to reach members of the school board by phone and left a message with the board’s office secretary. When reached for comment, Navarro directed questions to MCPS spokesperson Chris Cram.

Cram did not answer questions about Navarro’s employment on Monday and on Wednesday evening...

Nancy Navarro hired as MCPS' senior advisor for external affairs | MoCo360

After purchase of diesel vehicles, activists worry future of MCPS bus electrification is on fumes

In a move that has alarmed environmental activists, the Board of Education approved Montgomery County Public Schools’ request to purchase 90 additional diesel buses at its Oct. 12 meeting.

The decision is “shocking and says that the electric bus scheme has collapsed,” said Janis Sartucci, a member of the Montgomery County Parents’ Coalition, an advocacy and watchdog group, that has monitored MCPS’ bus electrification program.

The board approved a request from MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight to purchase and finance “90 transit-style diesel school buses” and the contract states that the board would fund and finance the buses over a six-year term for $14,749,919...

Activists worry future of MCPS' electric bus program is on fumes| MoCo360

Montgomery Co. releases redacted report on MCPS principal misconduct investigation

...For years, anonymous complaints were made to MCPS about principal Dr. Joel Beidleman harassing and bullying co-workers, but these allegations were not investigated because MCPS had a policy of not looking into anonymous complaints.

Five key MCPS leaders knew of these allegations and apparently did not push for answers

This led to Beidleman being promoted to Principal at Paint Branch High School which has since been pulled. Dr. Beidleman remains on leave and the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General is picking up the investigation into how the situation was handled. They said they would investigate every allegation made against Beidleman to set the record straight...

Montgomery Co. releases redacted report on MCPS principal misconduct investigation | WJLA