Walter Johnson High School Charging Students $71 to Attend Free Public School Graduation. FYI: There are no fees to attend MCPS graduations.

The Maryland legislature and the Montgomery County Board of Education have not authorized the charging of any fees for attendance at MCPS graduations.  There are no legal senior dues or fees to attend Montgomery County Public Schools.  That fact becomes clear when a comparison of high schools shows that some MCPS high schools don't have any senior dues or graduation fees. 

As the Parents' Coalition has shown over the years, Kennedy High School students are charged the highest "senior dues." 

If any Montgomery County Board of Education members would like to explain why Kennedy High School students have been targeted for these illegal fees, we would be happy to post their explanation.

wj-senior-letter---class-of-2023.pdf (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)

MCPS - Still Ripping Off Students, Now with the Chromebook Excuse

Once again we remind Montgomery County Public Schools and the Board of Education that the Maryland Constitution guarantees ALL children a FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Let's make this really simple:  If the CURRICULUM requires headphones, they are to be SUPPLIED for FREE by the public school system.

For College Gardens Elementary School students that means you do not have to pay $3 for headphones and you do not need to bring them from home.  If you need them for your classes, MCPS will be supplying them to you as part of their $2.4 BILLION dollar operating budget.  That's what those billions of dollars are for, that is Maryland law. 

In this specific example below, not only is College Gardens ES charging students for something that should be supplied for free, but College Gardens is overcharging students ($3.00) what MCPS is paying for these headphones ($2.75).  That's a rip off on top of a rip off with no accounting for where the extra funds are going. 

For readers that wonder why we track the expense accounts of administrators, here's why!   

How many headphones did Board of Education members "party" away last year? 2,398

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

January 28, 2015

Dear Parents/Guardians,

College Gardens has received chrome books for all students in grades 3 and 5. These are in addition to the 90 chrome books purchased by the PTA. With the use of the chrome books, students will need headphones. Students may bring their own from home or purchase KOSS headphones from the school for $3.00.

The chrome books are used in the classrooms to enhance creativity and collaboration in the classroom. All students will have access to a Google Apps for Education account. These accounts are secure to the learning environment and staff members are able to access their accounts. The staff and student accounts enable document sharing, collaborative work, and assessment opportunities in this cloud-based platform. For MCPS, participating students and staff are assigned an “@mcpsmd.net” G-mail like account. With this e-mail account students only have access to w-mail with people inside the MCPS system. Student progress and engagement will be monitored via a learning management system integrated into the platform that allows teachers to send information to students, offer real-time feedback, and monitor progress on activities.

As an added precaution to safeguard students, MCPS has enabled a feature of Google Search called “Safe Search” within our Google Apps domain. With “Safe Search” enabled, sexually explicit video and images are filtered from Google Search result pages, along with results that might link to explicit content when logged into their account. In essence, students’ internet searches are safer and more secure than if they were not using their accounts to conduct the same searches.

If you have questions or want additional information on the MCPS initiative to bring chrome books into the schools, please contact the Office of the Chief Technology Officer at 301-279-3581, or if you have questions regarding the use of chrome books at College Gardens you may contact me at 301-279-8470.

Sincerely,

Stacey Rogovoy

Principal

SR:cb

Free public education costs in Montgomery County High Schools

Isn't high school supposed to be free for public school students in Maryland?  Taxpayer dollars cover the costs for all students to attend - right?

We know that, and you know that it's in the Maryland Constitution.

But unfortunately, our Board of Education seems to think that the Maryland Constitution doesn't apply.

Our MCPS students get charged for classes and materials that should be free.

Our middle schools list is only eight pages - but the high school list is 23 pages long!

Amazing.

One day, our Board of Education will get it right.  Or maybe never.

Here is the 2015 list of fees for high school students.  Read my previous post to see what happens in middle schools.  

  2015 MCPS High School Fees

I wonder what the ghosts haunting the State House in Annapolis think of what Pat O'Neill has done to their prize constitution.

Are your children getting a free public education in Montgomery County?

Did you know that the Maryland Constitution guarantees a free public education for its students?

The Montgomery County Board of Education still has not read the document.  Imagine running a multi billion dollar public school system, and not knowing about state law.

Truly amazing.

As our annual tradition, below is the list of  fees "approved" by the Board of Education for middle school students.  If you cannot pay or choose not to pay, simply tell ask the school to waive your fee. Your child cannot be excluded from class for not paying a fee.

And why hit the arts classes the hardest?  How many times per semester does the school get their band uniforms dry cleaned?  And - can't they use a discount dry cleaners?  Or have the kids wear white shirts and black pants?

Remember, you are the taxpayer.  Ask questions - and if you do pay these fees, treat them as a donation to the school, not a mandatory fee, because we all know that mandatory fees are not allowed - right?

High school fees will be posted shortly.

2015 Middle School

Welcome Back to School

Its hard to believe that summer is almost over and MCPS starts school next week.

Teachers are already heading back to classrooms across the county to prepare for the first day of school

And parents - don't forget those checkbooks.

On this blog, we've posted many time about how school is supposed to be free in Maryland.

But what happens when public funding doesn't cover everything?

Westbrook ES has the answer. Since 1999, the Friends of Westbrook School Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity, raises funds for school improvement that are not funded by MCPS or otherwise fall within the PTA guidelines.  From the website:

Past projects include a security system upgrade, technology equipment like computer lab, Promethean Boards and ELMO projectors, full suite of playground equipment, and overall grounds and drainage enhancement.

These folks seems to have so much fun.  Look at what they planned just in the last few months of school last year (names of hosts are deleted):

Yoga for Parents [-]	4		$25.00
Come join us on Sunday, March 29th from 2:50-4:30 pm at Simon Says Yoga located at 4611 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, MD 20816. This is the first of two events to help you get into the "ZEN ZONE" before Spring Break. Co-sponsors . . .  will be leading us in an hour of yoga at nearby Simon Says Yoga, followed by refreshing and healthful tea and light snacks. A big thank you to Simon Says Yoga for donating use of their studio: http://simonsaysyoga.com.
Manicures and Mojitos [-]	3		$30.00
Join us on Tuesday, March 31st from 5:30-8:00 pm at AquaNails located in the Shops at Sumner Place at 4701 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, MD 20816. This always-popular event could not come at a better time. Get your nails done while also enjoying some delicious mojitos and snacks with friends before Spring Break.
ZENGO Spinning Party [-]	4		$40.00
Join us on Saturday, April 18th at 2:00 PM at ZENGO Cycle located at 4866 Cordell Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814. This energy-fueled and inspirational event is always a blast. We will cycle hard for an hour and then enjoy some healthy snacks. If you have never tried spinning before, what better way to try than in a room filled with supportive friends? There is no shame and no judgment in the spinning studio! It is just like dancing until dawn in some awesome college bar. You will get hot and sweaty and listen to great tunes with your friends. Except you will feel so much better in the morning! Ticket price includes shoe rental. . Big thanks to ZENGO Cycle in Bethesda for donating use of their studio. Check out their class schedule at: http://www.zengocycle.com.
Kids Movie Night [-]	SOLD OUT		$20.00
It will be the kids turn on Friday, April 24th from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Westbrook All-Purpose Room. Kids are invited to hit the "Red Carpet" and enjoy a screening of BIG HERO 6 (popcorn included). Moviegoers will get some hands-on inventing time in our mini "Pop-up" maker space before and after the movie. Sponsored by the Friends of Westbrook Board and

PIG PONG [-]	SOLD OUT		$75.00
Don't miss Pig Pong on Saturday, May 16th at 6:00 pm at . . .  We are back…Pig Pong 2.0 but with more hosts and inviting more of you: 75 people at $75 person to celebrate Westbrook’s 75th year. We will once again serve up a delicious 80lb pig smoked on site all day long, in addition to smoked chicken, smoked brisket, grilled veggies, baked beans, homemade coleslaw and watermelon. Drinks menu includes kegs, wine, prosecco, tequila and whiskey and water. Along with live music from Timi Ryalls from Charlottesville and Harry Faulkner from D. C., there will be a Ping-Pong tournament. With 24 competitors last year, ending in an intense championship duel between our two finalists, we can only hope our defending champion will be back to defend his title. We will have a 4th table this year for warm-ups between matches! More prizes, more tables, more pong...what's not to love! .
Dads Pub Crawl [-]	7		$60.00
The tradition continues on Friday, May 29th. Detailed coordinates for the Dads Pub Crawl will be emailed to ticket holders ahead of the event. This is the event that started it all! The last weekend in May, we will be taking to the streets! On Friday night, Dads are invited to sample refreshing and delicious beer and snacks at three different stops throughout the neighborhood.
Moms Unwined [-]	25		$60.00
It will be time of mom to unwind and "unwhine" at Moms Unwined on Saturday, 5/30. Detailed coordinates will be emailed to ticket holders ahead of the event. These are the events that started it all! The last weekend in May, we will be taking to the streets! On Saturday night, it will be Mom’s turn to “unwine” at three different spots for wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.
Westbrook's Sweetheart Dance [-]	18		$20.00
The lovely tradition continues on Sunday, June 7th from 4:00-5:30 pm. Girls and their favorite sweethearts, whether they are dads, granddads, uncles or friends, are invited to a lovely Sunday afternoon dance. Delicious punch and desserts will be served. Please remember to purchase a ticket for each attendee.

  Smoked pig, mojitos, and Moms and Dads taking to the streets!

We can't wait to see what FOWS come up with this year!

Graduation Rip Off Continues as More MoCo Schools Shake Down Students for Money

Did you know that the Maryland State Constitution guarantees a free public education?

We've been telling you that for years.

Here is a list of fees for graduation. Its not a red zone/green zone thing - students across the county get ripped off.

Shame on Paint Branch HS - for years you were one of the schools with a smart administrator who followed the rules.  New principal?  Not so smart.

If your child attends one of the schools that charges a fee, ask your principal why you are getting charged when other schools seem to be able to hold the ceremony without taxing the students.

Better yet - ask for a refund.

Advice to the class of 2016 - Do not pay this fee.  You can't be charged to graduate from a MCPS public school.  Its illegal, plain and simple.

 Unfortunately, MCPS administrators think the rules don't apply to them.  What does this say about the example our school leadership sets for the next generation?

  2015 MCPS Graduation Fees

Paint Branch HS - our First Candidate for Graduation Fees and Educational Extortion

Paint Branch HS reports that they are being charged a fee for graduating from a MCPS High School.

Really?

Here is a link to the article.

Apparently, the students did not raise enough during their three years at the high school  Cancelled school events led to the Class of 2015 not having enough cash to provide "pomp" with their graduation festivities.

From the article:

Dr. Rogers shared that this fee was put in place this year because the class has not raised enough money over the past three years to cover graduation. All of those cancelled dances and PB Idol competitions that never quite happened could have been funding sources for senior events – including graduation

According to Dr. Rogers, students will have individual fundraising options to help defray or eliminate this $30 graduation fee. Dr. Rogers notes that she is “happy to do anything and everything that I possibly can to reduce costs for students.” She adds that “within a couple of weeks we are going to provide an option where students can individually fundraise to absolutely cover the cost of the graduation fee.” - See more at: http://pbmainstream.com/1820/features/senior-moments/#sthash.8LBDmbo4.dpuf

Sounds like educational extortion to me!

What's happening at your high school?

Zip Code Madness - Do You Pay More to Graduate from an MCPS High School Because of Where You Live?

Answer:  Probably.

Back in 2010, this blog did a survey of how much each high school charged for various fees related to walking down the aisle to pick up a diploma.   You can read the post here.

MCPS representatives were reported to state at a recent Taxpayers League meeting that these fees were approved by the Board of Education and consistent with MCPS policy,

Answer:  Wrong.

The state of Maryland Constitution guarantees a free public education, and the state constitution trumps MCPS policy.

You, your family, and your child cannot be charged a fee to attend the students graduation ceremony.

Yet, MCPS continues to claim this is legitimate.  We claim this is educational extortion.

We will send in for an official list of what's been "approved" so you can determine which zip codes get shaken down the most.  Last time we checked, the fees approved didn't quite match what the students were charged.

What to do if you get a bill?

Answer:  Don't pay.

What if you already sent in your money?

Answer:  Ask for a refund.  Blair HS's graduating class of 2010 got a refund because they were charged to cover the graduation speaker's honorarium.  Really.  And the speaker was the spouse of a Blair staff member.  Talk about a rip off.

And please, stay tuned to this website for more information.

Public School Curricular Fees are Illegal in Maryland

A parent and guardian guide to Maryland public school fees.

  Maryland Guide to Public School Fees by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland

School Fees - the 2014 Version

PCMC Guideto Public School Fees

The Maryland Constitution guarantees a free and appropriate public education for all - unless you live in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Our wonderful school system, headed up by the eminent Superintendent Joshua Starr, insists that some fees are allowed - and he is going to be sure to collect!

The good news is that the number of fees at both the high school and middle school level seems to be decreasing since the Parents Coalition first started posting the lists.

However, at both the middle school and high school levels, some schools charge for dry cleaning band uniforms.  What band uniforms?  At my childrens' middle school (Frost) and high schools (Blair and RM), the kids wore their own clothing.  They didn't wear anything that required dry cleaning by the school.  And if you are really resourceful, once your family is done with the shirt, you can pass it along to another family!

Some bad news.  Josh doesn't like the arts or tech ed courses. And if your child goes to Edison, be prepared to shell out major money.

The other high school with lots of fees - Einstein.

The big winners?  Watkins Mill has only one fee;  Kennedy doesn't have any.  Frost MS doesn't list any - those Frost shirts really do live on and on and on.  Maybe the Einstein principal should call the principals at Kennedy and Watkins Mill to find the secret to not shaking down kids for fees.

Here are the lists - you can see for yourselves what the various schools charge.
It's hardly uniform across the school system.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31645241/2014-2015%20High%20School%20fees.pdf


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/31645241/2014-2015%20middle%20school%20fees.pdf

As usual, Mr. Tofig includes in the cover letter that all students will have full access to these courses, regardless of their circumstances.  SO, if you want to make a donation to your school, go for it, but if you don't, remember your child is still entitled to full access, whatever that means.

The really bad news is that the Superintendent thinks that family money is unlimited.  Is it really worthwhile to nickel and dime MoCo families for these fees?  Probably not.  And Dr. Starr still doesn't get the point that the folks in MoCo already pay taxes to fund the schools.  Money doesn't grow on trees.

Whitman High School student news report on curricular fees in MCPS.

Balt. Sun: Atty Gen Gansler Gansler says breaking up teen party was not his job.

We would like to see the job description for Attorney General in Maryland.  We know that Attorney General Gansler has been unwilling to stand up for the rights of public school children to a free public education.  

Mr. Gansler has been advised of the illegal curricular fees charged in MCPS and his response was that if he was a public school parent, he would not pay the fees.  

Yet, he has taken no action to stop the charging of illegal fees.  

Are public school children not "relevant" to him? 

"Assume for purposes of discussion that there was widespread drinking at this party," Gansler said. "How is that relevant to me? … The question is, do I have any moral authority over other people's children at beach week in another state? I say no."
Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-gansler-party-20131023,0,5177481.story#ixzz2idwHIQJA

Truth? or Fantasy?

By now, parents in most Montgomery County Public Schools have attended back to school night.

Did you have fun?  Did your school ask for money?

The answer to both questions for most parents is yes.

BUT - did you know that you don't have to pay for your education?  Amazing, but true.

And, did you know that even if your school wants to ask for fees to provide your child an education, the fees are supposed to be approved by the school system>

Now, here is a question for middle school parents.  Look over the list of fees "approved" by middle school.  Were you asked for money for something that does not appear on this list?

If the answer is yes, please let us know, by leaving a comment at the bottom of this message.  You don't need to leave your name, just the school, class, and teacher.

2013 Middle School Fees 5

Delegate Eric Luedtke Blocks From Facebook If Reminded He is a Social Studies Teacher

Do Montgomery County elected officials really want to use Social Media to discuss public topics with citizens?  Of course not!  

Delegate Eric Luedtke (who is currently overcharging his MCPS students for Outdoor Education trips) has blocked a user from his Facebook for reminding him that public school students in Maryland have a Constitutional right to a free public education.  Here is his reason for blocking:  

Here is what was said that caused him to block:

The new definition of nasty:  reminding a Delegate to the Maryland General Assembly that they are also a Social Studies teacher and should be able to understand and abide by the Maryland Constitution.  

The Parents Coalition Annual List of School Fees for 2012

Did you think that our new Superintendent of Schools, Josh Starr, would shake things up here in MoCo?   Did you think he might chart his own course?

Wrong. Looks like its more of the same old same old. Our students are still not getting their constitutionally guaranteed free education again this year.

Here is the annual back to school fees list for high school students.
2012 Highschool Fees

And here is the back to school fee list for middle school students.
2012 Middle School Fees

Are the lists accurate? Readers will need to report back whether they were charged additional fees not on the list.


So - what is a parent to do, other than try to transfer their students into schools that charge less than others?

Ask for a waiver. Students are not supposed to be denied educational opportunities based on whether a fee is paid. If you do choose to pay a fee, consider it a donation.


Want to compare to last year's lists? Try here for high school and here for middle school.

Note to Emily and Mitch Rales - when you look over the lists, you will see that the majority of the fees are charged in the arts related classes. If you (or any other business person in MoCo) would like to help out students, perhaps you could adopt a school or a class on the list, and save Josh and his staff from having to beg for the payments.

School Fees - A Preview

Yes, the Parents Coalition is planning to publish its annual listing of illegal school fees in Montgomery County Public Schools.

While you are waiting, here is a letter from Dr. Doran at Wootton High School. In his letter, he says he can no longer "mandate" that students purchase a planner for $4.00.

Note to Dr. Doran - you could never mandate such a fee. It's illegal in the state of Maryland, where our state constitution guarantees a free public education. Back to civics class for you - or in 2012 terms, please relearn the contents of US Government.

But it's nice to know that you finally acknowledge that certain fees are just not allowed. Aren't student planners a thing of the past, anyway? Environmentally unfriendly, and not in sync with students and their various electronic devices.

Welcome back to school Dr. Doran. We hope that your 10th year is as good as the previous nine.

MCPS Can Not Mandate School Fees - MD Constitution Provides for Free Education

Board & Starr to students: No cash? No class!

Educational extortion continues in MCPS.
The Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) video statement below from a MCPS teacher at Edison High School in Silver Spring says it all.


Curricular fees are alive and well in MCPS under the new superintendent. 
Students will be turned away from classes if they don't come up with the cash for the class.


If you don't pay up, you can't take the class.


The Maryland Constitution guarantees ALL children a free, public education. Curricular fees are illegal in Maryland.
But Montgomery County isn't in Maryland, right?


There has not been a single county or state elected official, Board of Education member, past superintendent (Jerry Weast) or current superintendent (Joshua Starr) that will stand up for the right of ALL Montgomery County children to a free public education.


And so, the practice of denying Montgomery County children access to a free public education if they don't fork over cash for classes continues. 


The charging of illegal curricular fees by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has no bearing on funding from the state of Maryland. MCPS has been charging students to attend classes in violation of the Maryland Constitution for years.  


MCPS curricular fees are not authorized by Maryland law, are not accounted for in the MCPS Operating Budget, and are often collected as cash payments without receipts. 


Pay up, or drop the class.  
This is how we close the achievement gap in MCPS! 

It's Constitution Day

Today, September 17th, is Constitution Day. As a reminder, here is the text from our own Constitution of Maryland, regarding Free Public Education. No ifs, ands, or buts. No fees.

ARTICLE VIII

EDUCATION.

SECTION 1. The General Assembly, at its First Session after the adoption of this Constitution, shall by Law establish throughout the State a thorough and efficient System of Free Public Schools; and shall provide by taxation, or otherwise, for their maintenance.

SEC. 2. The System of Public Schools, as now constituted, shall remain in force until the end of the said First Session of the General Assembly, and shall then expire; except so far as adopted, or continued by the General Assembly.

SEC. 3. The School Fund of the State shall be kept inviolate, and appropriated only to the purposes of Education.

3 Maryland Counties Provide Students a Free Public Education!

Gazette: Course fees abundant in some state school systems, absent in others

State board concerned about charges following California lawsuit, settlement

by Andrew Ujifusa | Staff Writer

Only three Maryland public school systems do not charge families course-related fees, while others lack a clear policy on hitting up students for certain class costs.

In response to a September inquiry from Maryland State Board of Education President James H. DeGraffenreidt Jr., 21 of 24 school systems outlined a variety of approaches to charging students for various activities and materials, including for uniforms and for renting a calculator for math classes...

...Public schools in Caroline, Prince George's and Worcester counties told DeGraffenreidt they do not charge course-related fees... 

 ...Arts, design, computer, home economics and music classes consistently were subject to fees...

...The cost of key academic materials was not consistent among school systems. While Anne Arundel charged the $15 for calculator rental in math, Carroll County Public Schools' policy states that schools are prohibited from charging a rental fee for student use of calculators.

Every high school student in Talbot County Public Schools is issued an Apple laptop computer for their use at any time, but is charged a $40 fee for maintenance costs...

...The number of fees also varies widely around the state. Montgomery County Public Schools identified 790 separate fees at 30 of 38 middle schools and 21 of 26 high schools. The highest fee was $265 for a cosmetology kit. Allegany County identified 32 fees, the most expensive being $200 for miscellaneous band supplies...

...California's agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California might end up influencing how Maryland views the issue. The Dec. 9 agreement states that public schools must stop charging fees to students for lab privileges, textbooks, uniforms and other materials...

Gazette: Maryland could look westward for inspiration on school fees policy

California agreement with ACLU allows parents to claim reimbursement

by Andrew Ujifusa | Staff Writer

A recent legal settlement over school fees in California may impact the Maryland State Board of Education's inquiry into fees charged by the state's 24 public school systems.

The settlement was announced 10 days after a Nov. 30 deadline for Maryland school systems to respond to state board President James H. DeGraffenreidt Jr.'s September letter asking them to provide their course-related fee policies, a list of course-related fees from each school, and the waiver process...

Pay to Graduate in MCPS

• The Board of Education has never authorized local schools to charge students a fee to graduate.

• The Maryland State Legislature has never authorized public schools to charge students a fee to graduate. 

• The money collected through "senior dues/fees" doesn't go in to the MCPS Operating Budget.  

• The "senior fees/dues" charged at MCPS schools varies from zero to over $100.  

What exactly are these dues/fees being used for? 

Please note the "late fee." That adds a sense of urgency to this unjustified charge. 

Senior Fees

Dear Senior Parents,

Thursday, December 23, 2010 is the last day to pay the senior fee at the low price of $45.00.  The price goes up after the winter break to $50.00.

Please submit your money or checks to XXXXX in the Media Center. 

Don't forget to write your students' name and ID number on the check. 

All checks should be made out to XXHS.

Have a great, happy and healthy holiday.

Thank you,

XXXXXXX

Senior Class Sponsor

301-XXX-XXXX

Check out the cap & gown price at this MCPS school. Makes you wonder what the "low $45" price is at the school above.

Date: December 3, 2010

Re:  Senior Cap and Gown fee

Dear Parents…The time is upon us to start planning for graduation.  Your senior student should have already filled out a cap and gown form and turned it in to XXXXXX in the XXXXX office.  Please note that cost for purchasing the cap and gown is separate from the announcements and other graduation accessories available through Jostens.   XXHS will be responsible for ordering caps and gowns in bulk, saving you a couple dollars.  Students are permitted to re-use their sibling’s black cap and gown. 

If you have not already done so, please make a check payable to XXHS for $23.85 to purchase the cap and gown and turn it in to XXXXXXX, senior class advisor.  We would like to have all payments collected by December 21, 2010.  Please call XXXXXX at 301-XXX-XXXX if you have any questions. Thank you for your cooperation.