Once again, MCPS skips public bidding process for "pilot" with unknown cost/benefit. Future cost could be tens of millions.

The Montgomery County Board of Education has had no public discussion of this pilot. The Board of Education has not voted to pilot this company's system and did not pick the 3 schools.

In 2024, MCPS estimated that weapons detection systems for secondary schools would cost $11,000,000.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

What we know about an AI-powered weapons detection system coming to county schools

The day before gunfire pierced a Montgomery County high school, the district quietly began rolling out a pilot program for an AI-powered weapons detection system.

Chief Safety Officer Marcus Jones wrote to families in three high school communities — Seneca Valley, Bethesda-Chevy Chase* and Magruder — to tell them that their campuses were poised to test VOLT AI.

“This pilot is a careful, short-term opportunity to test a potential tool,” the Feb. 8 letter reads...

...How much does it cost?

Sokolowski isn’t charging Montgomery County for its 30-day pilot.

“We are confident in our technology, so we allow companies and school districts to pilot completely for free.”

He said he has not yet discussed future pricing models with the district...

https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/ai-powered-weapons-detection-montgomery-schools-wootton-HX2I2EI5YZC2NAK4OMDITQX2PU/

*Note: Superintendent Thomas Taylor has said he grew up in the BCC High School community and would be moving home when he took the MCPS superintendent position. 

Magruder High School Play Moved After Ceiling Debris Falls Midshow

A student musical performance at Col. Zadok Magruder High School is moving to another school after debris from the auditorium ceiling fell during the performance.

Once Upon a Mattress, the high school’s spring musical, now will be featured at Shady Grove Middle School this Friday and Saturday...

School Play Moved After Ceiling Debris Falls Midshow - Montgomery Community Media

Weapon recovered following bus altercation at Magruder High School: police

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - Montgomery County officials are investigating after a student was taken into custody with a weapon after an altercation. 

According to police, an altercation took place on a bus involving a Magruder High School student. The student was taken into custody for having a weapon, which was not a handgun...

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/weapon-recovered-following-bus-altercation-at-magruder-high-school-police-montgomery-county-maryland

Breaking: MCPS Chief Safety Officer Ed Clarke Removed from Position. Parents' Coalition had Exposed Failure to Report as Required by Law @mcps @mocoboe @pcmc1

In December of 2022, the Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, MD obtained documents from the Maryland Center for School Safety regarding MCPS' compliance with Maryland's serious school incident reporting requirements.  

The Parents' Coalition had filed a Maryland Public Information Act request and upon receipt of our request, we were contacted by the Center for School Safety for a telephone conference with their staff attorney Dawn Luedtke.  Dawn Luedtke is now a Montgomery County Councilmember.  

The documents we obtained showed that MCPS had not complied with Maryland law with regard to reporting serious incidents.  ABC7 reported on this revelation. 

MCPS gave the excuse that their Chief Safety Officer, Edward Clarke, was not aware of the filing requirements.  But Edward Clarke was formerly the head of the Maryand Center for School Safety and had lobbied for the creation of that office.  

Since the ABC7 news report aired in December, Edward Clarke has been removed from his position and placed in MCPS Human Relations Department with the position of Administrator Special Assignment. 

On June 27, 2023, the Montgomery County Board of Education appointed a new Chief Safety Officer, Pamela B. Wheeler-Taylor. 

'Possibly intoxicated' substitute sent home from Magruder High School in an Uber

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - A substitute teacher arrived at Magruder High School Wednesday morning showing signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Instead of having him arrested, the school said it sent the substitute home in an Uber. 

Just before the first bell rang, around 7:45 a.m., administrators said they were notified that the sub was possibly drunk. After contacting non-emergency police and the Community Engagement Officer assigned to Magruder, the school decided to launch an internal investigation, which determined the person was possibly intoxicated...

'Possibly intoxicated' substitute sent home from Magruder High School in an Uber (fox5dc.com)

Magruder HS Principal Announces Retirement Day Before Last Day of School

Yesterday you announced your retirement, and today was your final last day of school, but you will forever be a legend 🎤 #micdrop Thank you, Dr. Evans, for fearlessly leading @MagruderHS. You gave me my 1st leadership (RT) & 1st admin (AP) role. I am eternally grateful! 💙 pic.twitter.com/HHURQkftRY

— Dr. Sofía Vega-Ormeño (@DrVegaOrmeno) June 17, 2023

The 16 yr old charged with killing another teen inside the Wheaton Metro station is a tenth grader at Magruder High School.

The 16 yr old charged with killing another teen inside the Wheaton Metro station is a tenth grader at Magruder High School. After listening to evidence in a bond review today the judge called the violence a “sad state of affairs”. Emmanuel Simmonds was ordered held without bond. pic.twitter.com/7TZaAWX0i3

— Paul Wagner (@paulcwagner) May 25, 2023

Montgomery County, MD: How to Mishandle Every Single Step in a School Shooting from Day of Incident, to After Action Report, to Sentencing. #MagruderHS #mocoboe #mcps

During Magruder High School Lockdown Board of Education was Hiding at College Park Luxury Hotel

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: Breaking: During Magruder HS Lockdown Board of Education was Hiding at College Park Luxury Hotel. @mcps @mocoboe (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

State's Attorney John McCarthy confused our community by walking across the campus and entering the building during the lockdown. 

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: Magruder HS January Shooting Lockdown: MoCo State's Attorney John McCarthy "@McCarthyMoCo confused our community by walking across the campus and entering the building. Lockdown is lockdown. Curious elected officials should have been locked out." (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

Magruder High School principal apologizes after telling community there was "no immediate threat."

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: Magruder H.S. principal apologizes after telling community there was 'no immediate threat' (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

Parent meeting at 6 PM may have done the trick to keep attendance low.

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: Magruder HS Parent Meeting Looks Sparsely Attended. 6 PM Start May Have Done the Trick to Keep Attendance Low. (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

MCPS explains why it failed to properly report school shootings and stabbings. 

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: MCPS explains why it failed to properly report school shooting and stabbings (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

BOE President Brenda Wolff chose $100 a plate party over Magruder High School community meeting. 

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: @mocoboe President Brenda Wolff Chose $100 a plate Party over Magruder High School Community Meeting (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

Mother of Magruder High School shooting victim says school leaders never contacted her. 

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: Mother of Magruder shooting victim says school leaders never contacted her (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

TODAY's NEWS from The Washington Post:  Maryland judge quietly negotiated job with prosecutors while hearing cases. 

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: Md. judge quietly negotiated job with prosecutors while hearing cases [including Magruder High School shooting case] (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

Md. judge quietly negotiated job with prosecutors while hearing cases [including Magruder High School shooting case]

 

Defense lawyers challenge rulings by former Montgomery County Circuit Judge David Boynton

At least four cases handled by a Maryland judge are being challenged after he presided over a series of hearings and did not reveal he was in talks to accept a job in the office of local prosecutors.

For more than six weeks, according to court documents and recorded proceedings, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge David Boynton never disclosed he had discussed, negotiated and accepted a position with State’s Attorney John McCarthy’s office as chief of his Felony Trial Division. Boynton started that high-ranking job in February, days after retiring from the bench.

One sentencing in question includes the high-profile case of a Magruder High School student who shot and nearly killed another teen in a bathroom. In that hearing, Boynton ruled from the bench as McCarthy sat in the front row of the gallery.

Defense attorneys say the way Boynton and McCarthy handled the job switch contradicts Maryland rules designed to promote “public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary.”..

...On Dec. 22, Boynton took up the sentencing of Steven Alston Jr. Nearly a year earlier, the 18-year-old was charged with attempted murder after bringing an untraceable “ghost gun” to Magruder High School and shooting another teen in a boys’ bathroom. As the case progressed, Alston’s defense attorney, David Felsen, discussed with prosecutors a way for Alston to plead guilty and — recognizing his age, cognitive limitations and previously clean criminal record — be sent to a prison program for young offenders, according to court records and hearings. The program typically takes six to seven years to complete.

The attorneys met with Boynton to discuss their plea terms. He then emailed them saying he was willing to impose a sentence “sufficient to allow defendant to complete” the program while maintaining the discretion to sentence Alston to as many as 25 years. The final decision, Boynton wrote, would come after he presided over a sentencing hearing...

Md. judge quietly negotiated job with prosecutors while hearing cases - The Washington Post

Magruder High School shooting victim's mother opens up to FOX 5 one year after tragedy

Mother of Magruder shooting victim says school leaders never contacted her

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/mother-of-magruder-shooting-victim-says-school-leaders-never-contacted-her

Magruder HS January Shooting Lockdown: MoCo State's Attorney John McCarthy "@McCarthyMoCo confused our community by walking across the campus and entering the building. Lockdown is lockdown. Curious elected officials should have been locked out."

 

Cynthia Simonson

Follow @SimonsonCynthia

   

52m • 7 tweets • 4 min read

FINALLY — @MCPS met with the community to discuss what occurred @MagruderHS on January 21. Honestly, I can’t imagine the school staff handling it better, but finally, the details emerged!! My favorite parts… 1/ 

@mentionsapologized. In my 10 years as an advocate, tonight marks the second time I’ve heard leaders admit publicly mistakes were made. That was important. 2/ 

No one expects a crisis to go perfectly. But when @MCPS glosses over the missteps, it doesn’t honor the experience. I appreciated @MCPS acknowledging there were folks that shouldn’t have been allowed to access the building. WE WERE IN LOCKDOWN!!! 3/ 

They didn’t name names, but @McCarthyMoCo confused our community by walking across the campus and entering the building. Lockdown is lockdown. Curious elected officials should have been locked out. (Sorry) 4/ 

And, @MCPS made clear they learned their lesson — reunification THEN press conference. That was NONSENSE holding our kids while McKnight and @mcpnews 5/ 

I doubt we will see another community required to wait 10 months before @MCPS meets with them. So that’s good. That’s what advocates want — to see progress!! If @MCPSSafety issues a new After Action without community input, we’ll return to @mocoboe. 6/ 

And, when @MCPS requires the Chief to apologize to the advocates in the same public forum she used to discredit us, then we’ll really know the integrity has returned to @mocoboe. 7/7 

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1598155537061154817.html

MCPS explains why it failed to properly report school shooting and stabbings

...Sartucci showed 7News documents from the Maryland Center for School Safety. She obtained them after filing a Maryland Public Information Act request.

..."There were three school incidents, and the law was not followed," she said.

Sartucci referred to the January shooting at Magruder High and November 2021 stabbings at Montgomery Blair and Clarksburg High Schools.

"There was no after-action committee meeting. There was no report done. We basically find the law as written is worthless."

Changes to Maryland law in 2020 require school systems that experience a critical, life-threatening incident to notify the Maryland Center for School Safety no less than 24 hours after the school system learns of the incident...

MCPS explains why it failed to properly report school shooting and stabbings | WJLA

Mother of Magruder shooting victim sues school, county

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/mother-of-magruder-shooting-victim-sues-school-county

@mocoboe President Brenda Wolff Chose $100 a plate Party over Magruder High School Community Meeting

Pictures from the MyMCMedia Party with a purpose on November 30, 2022, show Montgomery County Board of Education President Brenda Wolff in attendance.  The MyMCMedia Party was held on November 30, 2022, from 6 - 9 PM.

That was the same date and time as the Magruder High School community meeting to discuss the critical shooting incident at the school on January 21, 2022.  

Magruder HS Parent Meeting Looks Sparsely Attended. 6 PM Start May Have Done the Trick to Keep Attendance Low.

.@MCPS was joined by @MontgomeryCoMD Public Safety Officials to discuss response to January 21 Magruder HS shooting @LindsayAWatts @fox5dc https://t.co/Uqe4KKXXxR & @wtop parents say school officials apologized for shortcomings in communication & response https://t.co/zqDq6mQ0ba pic.twitter.com/xHHuMpBf56

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) December 1, 2022

[@mocoboe Ignores Another Victim, Gets Sued Again.] Family of student shot at Magruder sues county, school board

The family of a Magruder High School student shot inside a school bathroom has filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County and its school board, alleging the county created danger and the school system neglected its duty of care by stopping the school resource officer program, which removed police from schools...

...A complaint, which lists Thomas’s mother, Karen Thomas, as the plaintiff and was filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court, alleges that the county deprived Thomas “of his right to a reasonably safe and secure public education” and that the school system did not take any action to curb rising reports of violence on school grounds after students returned to campuses after remote learning during the beginning of the pandemic...

Family of student shot at Magruder sues county, school board (msn.com)

MCPS to hold meeting for Magruder HS community Wednesday, Nov. 30th, 6-8pm, in Magruder HS AUD.

 Zoom available as well.

Judge accepts Magruder HS shooter plea deal

WASHINGTON - A Montgomery County judge accepted a plea deal Monday from Steven Alston Jr., the teenager accused of shooting another student inside a Magruder high school bathroom last January.

Alston, who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to an attempted first-degree murder charge, which is a life sentence in Maryland...

Judge accepts Magruder HS shooter plea deal (fox5dc.com)

Thurs. Oct. 6th Meeting to Discuss Plan to Park 22 @mcps School Buses at Each of These High Schools: Magruder/Wootton/RM/Rockville/Gaithersburg/Watkins Mill

The Montgomery County/MCPS Plan to move part of the MCPS Shady Grove Bus Depot to Seven Locks Road only moves some of the school buses currently in the Shady Grove Bus Depot.  The rest of the school buses will be parked at 6 high schools.  The MCPS Shady Grove Bus Depot can't be removed from its current location without the use of the parking lots at these 6 high schools.  

The meeting shown below on October 6th will only discuss moving some of the Shady Grove Bus Depot school buses.  It's time for the Board of Education to discuss their plan to take over the parking lots of these 6 high schools and turn them into bus depots. 

 Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: Tues. 8/23/22: Board of Ed to Delegate Authority to Park 33 Buses at Each High School - Magruder/Wootton/RM/Rockville/Gaithersburg/Watkins Mill (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)