WTOP: Ask the Superintendent

Representatives from Montgomery, Loudoun and St. Mary's schools will take your questions Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011 at 10am on WTOP.

Click HERE to submit your question in advance of the WTOP show. 

MontCo school board violates open meetings laws again | Lisa Gartner | Education | Washington Examiner

The school board should not have met behind closed doors to select residents to interview prospective superintendents, the ethics board said in a three-page opinion: "Discussions about whether and how to involve the public in the hiring process implicate policy matters. ... We encourage the county board to unseal and make available for inspection any closed-session minutes, or portions thereof, that pertain to discussions that should have been held in the open."  

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/education/2011/08/montco-school-board-violates-open-meetings-laws-again#ixzz1V0SDULY1

Public Speaks Out Against Process of Schools Budget

From The Chicago News Cooperative:

By REBECCA VEVEA
Published: August 13, 2011

As Chicago Public Schools officials scramble to complete the district’s 2012 budget, parents, teachers and taxpayers made one thing clear in a series of public hearings last week: they must have a voice in developing the budget and not be asked to comment only after it has been released.

Citing inaccuracies in enrollment figures and cost projections, they said the district repeatedly announced a looming budget deficit and threatened spending cuts and layoffs, only to produce a balanced budget that allowed for public involvement too late in the process.

and:

“To say ‘I’m in debt, but I have four grand in savings,’ then I guess I’m not in debt,” Mr. Kaslow said. “You kind of begin to wonder, Is it a rainy-day fund or a bucket of change?”

Wendy Katten, a member of the parents’ group Raise Your Hand, said the use of reserves “raises questions about the way we talk about the deficit.”

“It leads to some lack of credibility,” she added.

Read more here.

MontCo Owes Residents $2.5M in Energy Tax Credits

By: Rachel Baye Examiner Staff Writer 08/13/11 8:05 PM

A property tax credit program designed to reward Montgomery County residents for using renewable energy-based heating and cooling systems has a $2.5 million backlog of payments owed to residents, according to Joe Beach, director of the county's Department of Finance.

On June 30, the end of fiscal 2011, 501 people were on a waiting list to receive tax credit payouts from the county. Some of them might have to wait as long as six years for a payment, Beach said, since the county hasn't allocated enough money to pay before then. So far, 276 credits have been issued in the program's three years of operation.

and:

Though county officials said they regret not being able to pay residents, they also said it's unlikely that they can change that anytime soon.

"We're not sitting on lots of spare cash," said County Councilman George Leventhal, D-at large. "It's really unfortunate. This is a really good program."

Enacted in 2008, the program has an annual cap of $400,000 for renewable energy devices. One way to reduce the waiting list is to raise the cap, said Beach, whether temporarily or long term. But raising the limit means the cash-strapped county has to find more funds for the program.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/business/2011/08/montco-owes-residents-25m-energy-tax-credits#disqus_thread#ixzz1Uxu2pp44

Overtime Pay Spikes in Montgomery County

By: Rachel Baye Examiner Staff Writer 08/09

The four Montgomery County agencies that spend the most on overtime pay shelled out 26 percent more in the last three months of the fiscal year than during the same period last year, data shows -- defying the County Council's request that departments reduce overtime spending as they looked for ways to save money in a tight budget year.

In the last quarter of the fiscal year that ended June 30, the agencies that consistently spend the vast majority of the county's overtime costs -- Fire and Rescue Services, the Police Department, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Corrections -- increased the spending by about $3 million from the same time last year, according to a report by County Stat.

Top 10 spenders April 1-June 30
Department Overtime Fire and Rescue Services $4,662,492.17
Police Department $3,446,321.56
Department of Transportation $2,177,288.87
Department of Correction and Rehabilitation $1,147,116.33
Department of General Services $287,926.38
Department of Liquor Control $139,604.01
Health and Human Services $69,001.33
Department of Environmental Protection $35,986.44
Department of Housing and Community Affairs $17,447.33
Sheriff’s Office $15,515.35

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/2011/08/overtime-pay-spikes-montgomery#ixzz1UvV1aP4E

Council to finally discuss report that was due December 2010

When Montgomery County Council members said they wanted a report by the end of 2010 did they really mean by September of 2011? 

Apparently. 

Because the Artificial Turf Report that Council members wanted by the end of 2010 will not be presented to the Council for discussion until September 26, 2011.  That's 14 months since the report was ordered. 

It should be some detailed report! Of course, it will include the water quality issues that were one of the priorities of the Council request.(Don't hold your breath. What's 19 tons of missing ground up tires among friends?)

Here's the Agenda announcement for Discussion of the Report - no action, just discussion. 

September 26, 2011

Transportation, Energy &Environment Committee and Education Committee              

2:00 PM

3rd Floor Hearing Room

Montgomery County
Council Office Building (COB)
100 Maryland AvenueRockville, MD 20850


   •   Discussion - Report of the Artificial Turf Working Group                   (McGuire/Levchenko)

Gazette: Leggett seeks to slash capital spending

Montgomery could cut $150 million from new schools, libraries

...Leggett said his goal is to reduce the county’s $4 billion capital spending plan by $25 million each year through fiscal 2018. He instructed agencies Wednesday to propose building projects that could be eliminated or delayed in the next capital budget. The cuts could affect projects such as new schools, recreation centers and libraries....
...The school system’s current capital spending plan for fiscal years 2013 through 2016 totals $887 million, although that number is subject to change when the Board of Education approves a new capital budget for 2013 to 2018 later this year, said Bruce Crispell, director of the school system’s Division of Long-Range Planning. Leggett is recommending the school system reduce its capital budget by $33.9 million between fiscal 2013 and 2016 — about 4 percent of its planned capital expenses.
A new middle school for the Clarksburg and Damascus areas is projected to cost $44.1 million. An addition to Bradley Hills Elementary in Bethesda will cost $11.6 million. Upgrades to heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in schools countywide have a projected price tag of $26.1 million.
Crispell said now is a good time to build from a construction viewpoint, but that the economy isn’t necessarily in a position to support revenues for all the desired projects.
“We don’t have a choice,” said Councilman Hans Riemer (D-At large) of Silver Spring. “We do have to cut back. And it’s painful because it is a cheap time to borrow and build.”

MontCo aims to cut $150 million in construction projects | Rachel Baye | Business | Washington Examiner

...Montgomery County Public Schools will bear the second-largest cut. The school system has been asked to cut about $34 million of its $887 million capital budget. Chief Operating Officer Larry Bowers said it's too early to say what will be most affected, especially because the school system receives funding from sources other than the county..
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/business/2011/08/montco-aims-cut-150-million-construction-projects#ixzz1UmKDhQdg

States Fail to Raise Bar in Reading, Math Tests

From The Wall Street Journal:

By STEPHANIE BANCHERO

Eight states have raised their standards for passing elementary-school math and reading tests in recent years, but these states and most others still fall below national benchmarks, according to a federal report released Wednesday.

The data help explain the disconnect between the relatively high pass rates on many state tests and the low scores on the national exams, known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

In fourth-grade reading, for example, 35 states set passing bars that are below the "basic" level on the national NAEP exam. "Basic" means students have a satisfactory understanding of material, as opposed to "proficient," which means they have a solid grasp of it. Massachusetts is the only state to set its bar at "proficient"—and that was only in fourth- and eighth-grade math.

The report from the National Center for Education Statistics, an arm of the U.S. Department of Education, is certain to reinvigorate calls to overhaul No Child Left Behind. Critics of the federal education law, including U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, contend states watered down their exams to meet the law's requirement that 100% of students taking state math and reading exams are passing by 2014.

Read more here.

Patch: MCPS Scales Back Size of Proposed Middle School

Montgomery County Public Schools has reduced the size of a proposed middle school in Kensington after neighbors voiced concerns that building the school would do away with valued green space... 

...In past meetings, neighbors were concerned the school would be an eyesore in residential Rock Creek Hills, and, in response, the three layouts discussed Wednesday allow for a 30-foot buffer zone of trees on all sides of the property.
The layouts vary from three to four stories, and each separates sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade classes by floor. Two allow for a courtyard in the middle of the school building, but with that comes a larger footprint for the school.
The feasibility-study process has been contentious since MCPS chose the Rock Creek Hills site, and neighbors have complained that the school district has been less than transparent in its dealings ever since...

Article continues here.

MoCo Board of Education Violates the Maryland Open Meetings Act during the Superintendent Search

Montgomery County's Board of Education did it again. 
This time, the violation of the Maryland Open Meeting Act occurred during the search for the new School Superintendent.

The State's Open Meetings Compliance Board found that the Board of Education violated OMA by creating a citizens committee to involve the public during closed deliberations.  The remedy?  The Compliance Board states that the Board of Education should make the minutes of the discussions of the improperly closed meeting available. 

Also in the opnion, the Compliance Board encourages the Board of Education to close its meetings more sparingly.

So - will Dr. Starr bring more transparency to the MoCo Board of Education table?  Time will tell.

While we are waiting, you can read the full opinion here:

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/62051757?access_key=key-19v460gm2acqv0y50zl4

Gazette Exposes Starr's "Transition team"

In today's Montgomery Gazette the public learns about Superintendent Starr's "transition team." Thanks to Gazette reporter Andrew Ujifusa the public now knows who is on this "team." Why didn't Superintendent Starr tell the public that this team was formed and who was on it? From out of state news sources we know that the "team" has been in existence since before Superintendent Starr's July 1st start date. 

The next question is who is PAYING for this team? Anyone want to take a guess since Superintendent Starr hasn't been interested in being transparent about this? Did the Board of Education trade after-school sports for this entourage? 

And the final question is, why didn't the Board of Education hire someone who could come in and start to work immediately without outside consultants? 

Montgomery’s schools chief turns to New England brainpower on advisory teamTwo-thirds work or worked with county school systemby Andrew Ujifusa, Staff Writer

The transition team for Montgomery County schools’ new superintendent includes the former director of a Harvard graduate school program, the executive director of a corporate foundation dedicated to schools and a former top official with the school system... 

...Larry Leverett 

Since 2006, Leverett has been executive director of the Panasonic Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Secaucaus, N.J. The organization’s mission, as stated on its website, is “to break the links between race, poverty, and educational outcomes,” echoing the key themes of Peterkin’s Urban Superintendents Program.
Like Starr, Marks and Peterkin, Leverett has education leadership experience in the Northeast, having worked as superintendent of Plainfield, N.J., and Greenwich, Conn., public schools prior to joining the Panasonic Foundation, a Grantmakers for Education biography states. Starr has worked in public schools in Connecticut and New Jersey, as well as New York City.
Leverett has his own connection to another member of the transition team. He also has served on the advisory committee to Peterkin’s Urban Superintendents Program...

-----------------------------


Wednesday August 10, 2011

Montgomery's schools chief turns to New England brainpower on advisory team

by andrew ujifusa , Staff Writer

The transition team for Montgomery County schools’ new superintendent includes the former director of a Harvard graduate school program, the executive director of a corporate foundation dedicated to schools and a former top official with the school system. A group of 15 people is helping Superintendent of Schools Joshua P. Starr take over the reins of Montgomery County Public Schools. Ten of them work or formerly worked in the school system, including long-time Weast deputies Larry Bowers, chief operating officer, and Frieda K. Lacey, deputy superintendent. A focus on educational equity is a major theme among the non-school system team members, one highlighted during former superintendent Jerry D. Weast’s tenure. There also are several links to the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Several of the members also have backgrounds in education leadership in the Northeast.

Those employed or formerly employed by the school system include Kathy Gemberling, former deputy superintendent; Vera Gaines, co-lead consulting teacher; Susan Marks, superintendent of schools in Norwalk, Conn. and a former community superintendent in Montgomery County; Ruth Musicante, a professional growth consultant with the school system; Frank Stetson, chief school performance officer; LaVerne Kimball, community superintendent; Scott Murphy, principal; and Brian Edwards, chief of staff.

Rebecca Thessin  Thessin has strong ties to Starr, having worked for him as director of school performance and professional development when he was Stamford Public Schools superintendent. She authored an article earlier this year with him about the development of Professional Learning Communities at Stamford. Thessin is an assistant professor at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She specializes in preparing students to be school principals and other leaders in educational settings. She is an academic adviser in the university’s master of arts in Education and Human Development program. She holds an educational doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Urban Superintendents Program. Thessin previously worked as an aide to a deputy superintendent in Boston Public Schools, and has classroom teaching experience.

Robert Peterkin From 1991 until last year, Robert Peterkin was director of the Urban Superintendents Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where Starr was one of his students. The program focuses on producing school leaders who strive for educational equity across racial and socioeconomic lines. Peterkin previously served as superintendent in Cambridge, Mass., and Milwaukee public schools.In an April 2010 interview with the graduate school’s magazine, Peterkin described what makes a good superintendent. “First, someone has to commit to a vision of equitable education for all. And I mean a real commitment, like, ‘I’m willing to get fired over this.’ The second is theory of change. It’s not enough to talk a good game and inspire a community. You have to have the wherewithal to get it done.”He added that both of these qualities required courage to work. Starr specifically thanked Peterkin for his help during his first Board of Education meeting last month.

Larry Leverett Since 2006, Leverett has been executive director of the Panasonic Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Secaucaus, N.J. The organization’s mission, as stated on its website, is “to break the links between race, poverty, and educational outcomes,” echoing the key themes of Peterkin’s Urban Superintendents Program.Like Starr, Marks and Peterkin, Leverett has education leadership experience in the Northeast, having worked as superintendent of Plainfield, N.J., and Greenwich, Conn., public schools prior to joining the Panasonic Foundation, a Grantmakers for Education biography states. Starr has worked in public schools in Connecticut and New Jersey, as well as New York City. Leverett has his own connection to another member of the transition team. He also has served on the advisory committee to Peterkin’s Urban Superintendents Program. The transition team also includes Brian Osborne, superintendent of schools, School District of South Orange and Maplewood, N.J.; and John Kim, chief executive officer, District Management Council.aujifusa@gazette.net

MCPS, Making up the rules as they go along

Save Rock Creek Hills Park!: "The rules have suddenly changed mid-way through a...:

"An article by Sarah Gantz in today's Gazette quotes MCPS's Bruce Crispell as stating that it is 'impossible' for a feasibility study co..."

Farquhar Middle School modernization: A parent's perspective.

On behalf of the Ashton, Sunshine, Sandy Spring, and Olney parents whose children will attend Farquhar Middle School (FMS) I would like to thank the MCPS staff for their work on the FMS Modernization effort. We parents were initially very excited to hear that the much needed FMS modernization feasibility study was underway. This excitement quickly dissipated to dread and united opposition to the (seemingly preferred) options that would require bussing students 1 hour and 10 minutes each way to the Tilden Holding Center. What has transpired over the last four months is a refreshing example of government and community working together to find solutions that truly meet the students’ needs while being sensitive to the greater community. We are again excited with the recommended options that bring a needed modernized middle school with an additional park to the community.

Driven by the knowledge and scientific evidence of the direct and indirect negative impacts of long duration bussing the parents worked very hard with MCPS staff to identify and explore many options looking for innovative solutions. These included solutions that would allow students to remain on-site during construction through technology alternatives and placement of structures to help meet the aggressive Gold LEED standard that MCPS desired to be achieved. It seemed that road block after road block was discovered with stream beds, geo-thermal system requirements, roofing requirements, and the like. We also investigated options that would send the students to other facilities. This included other near by elementary schools, high schools, alternative buildings that are planned to be put in the MCPS inventory for holding centers, splitting the children up among the local middle schools, and even using privately owned school building. All to no avail, each option was assessed by MCPS staff and deemed not feasible or as having too many constraints compared to the Tilden option; further, many parents did not want delays to the modernization so options that pushed the schedule to the right were not palatable.

This left parents very concerned and even more dedicated to finding a good option for the children. It is well known that land along Batchellor’s Forest Road is planned for development so questions as to the plot next to FMS were raised. It was discovered that (in accordance with the Olney Master Plan, 2005) the land is to be dedicated to Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), for use as an active park. The idea of a land-swap was brought to life.

The land-swap option uses land directly adjacent to the existing Farquhar to build the new Farquhar. The existing Farquhar site, upon completion of the new school, would then become the new park. Some have suggested that this option “clearly violates” the 2005 Olney Master Plan; however, it would seem that providing the Olney community an active park with ballfields is consistent with the intent of the Master Plan and delivers on an identified community need that will not likely be achieved in the near future given today’s fiscal constraints. In fact, page 28 of the plan states:

“ Analysis of recreation resources in Olney, included in the Park and Trail Analysis for the Olney Planning Area, indicates that three additional ballfields are needed in the area. The (see the Parks and Recreation Chapter) 17.4-acre portion of the property is appropriate for ballfields and possibly other active recreation since it is clear with no significant environmental features, and can share its ballfields and parking area with the adjoining middle school site. Access to the ballfields should be from the Old Vic Boulevard extended and through the middle school property.”

MCPS has taken the idea of the land-swap and developed two options that are deemed feasible as documented in the [Draft]  July 2011 FMS Modernization Feasibility Study report. One option is a two story building preferred by the FAC and the other is a three story building preferred by MCPS staff. Developing these options with MCPS staff has been in the spirit of cooperation and democracy that our community aspires to and MCPS is meeting M-NCPPC’s criteria of equal or greater value in a trade with a lot that is 18% larger. Community benefits associated with the land-swap include established amenities, such as ball fields and tennis courts frequented by the community, as well as a parking lot that can also be used during Farquhar events to reduce parking issues on Batchellor’s Forest Road. Furthermore, M-NCPPC and the community will likely have use of a park sooner given the limited budget we are dealing with and cost savings associated with a partially established park. MCPS will also save money by not having a dedicated bus route to the Tilden Holding Center. We are using all our precious resources wisely.

The development and analysis of these options demonstrates the positive outcome that can be achieved in an open and participatory working group. The FMS modernization process has been an example of successful collaboration between the school system and the community. The FAC Committee held publicized open meetings beginning in March 2011, which were well attended by parents and community members. This provided opportunity to address a multitude of suggestions and alternatives from both MCPS staff and the community. The community submitted suggestions and alternative options that were responded to by MCPS staff, presented, and posted online for the community to read and respond.

The resultant recommendations deliver to the Olney community a needed park with existing ballfield and protect “rural open space” and the “low-density character of the Southeast Quadrant”. It is clear that the land-swap options (both the 2-story and the 3-story) are the best option for Farquhar modernization, because only they option meet all of the following community needs:

• Keep kids & families in the community during modernization, avoiding LONG bus rides to Bethesda,
• Avoid $1.5 million in transportation costs,
• Maintain the rural feel of the school’s road – the new building can stay two stories vs. three for an “on-site” option, and
• Jump-start the building of a planned park in Olney – one that will have fields, tennis courts, or even possibly a gym ready-made, saving taxpayer dollars on park construction

Many in our community including, the following, endorse the land-swap:

• homeowners Associations located within the Farquhar Middle School boundary,
• all PTAs from the feeder elementary schools and Farquhar Middle School,
• the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board,
• State Senator Karen Montgomery, District 14,
• State Delegate Anne Kaiser, District 14,and
• State Senator Roger Manno, District 19.

Certainly, details will need to be worked out to ensure that the implementation (i.e., access to the school, traffic flow, etc…) conforms to the Master plan and the concerns of SEROCA and the local residents are addressed.

It is not often that a parent’s group can publicly thank MCPS, so I am particularly thrilled to be able to do. MCPS staff was open in dialog with the community and addressed our concerns through modernization feasibility study process.

Jennifer McKneely
Member of Future Farquhar Community Coalition and Sherwood Elementary School Parent

Governor O'Malley Seeking Volunteers for Task Force

All,
Governor O'Malley is seeking volunteers to serve on a Task Force to study the creation of a Maryland Center for School Safety. This Task Force is the result of a bill introduced by State Senator Conway. While most of the positions on the Task Force are for people already in positions in government or in the school system, here are some openings for interested parents and students:

"(10) the following members appointed by the Governor:
(i) two parents of public school students;
(ii) two public school students;
(iii) one representative from a nonpublic school;
(iv) one representative who is
knowledgeable in serving students with disabilities; and
(v) one representative of school bus drivers."

Positions will be filled within the next few weeks, so fill out the form and volunteer!

Thanks.
Paula Bienenfeld
Education Committee Chair, Montgomery County Civic Federation

The bill is here.

Task Force Bill







To volunteer, the form is here.

Task Force Request for Appointment Form

CNN: Cheating report confirms teacher's suspicions

 Atlanta (CNN) -- Julie Rogers-Martin had started to doubt her teaching skills.

...Beverly Hall, who was Atlanta superintendent during the years the alleged cheating occurred, has retired. She has repeatedly denied any direct knowledge of wrongdoing.
But Rogers-Martin knew none of this in 2007. She only saw a growing gap between her students' standardized test scores and those of some of her colleagues -- leading her to doubt her teaching skills.
Eventually, however, she began to suspect that something else was at work. Though she says administrators ignored her suspicions when she raised them, Rogers-Martin eventually got a chance to tell state investigators what she saw. (Rogers-Martin is named as a witness in the governor's report but not implicated in any cheating.)
Teaching second, fourth and fifth grades, she noticed inconsistencies between her students' abilities and their previous year's standardized test scores.
Some children with the highest rating on the previous year's test -- "exceeding expectations" -- arrived in her class completely unprepared for the coursework.
She started asking questions: How is this child "exceeding expectations" on last year's test "when they can't read and they can't count?" she asked her principal.
"Oh, I guess they are just a great guesser," Rogers-Martin says the principal told her...

WaPo Live Q&A Now - Chef Cathal Armstrong discusses Healthy School Lunches

Now at the Washington Post: Chef Cathal Armstrong discusses healthy school lunches

Today
12
P.M.Chef Cathal Armstrong discusses healthy school lunches

The Post is taking questions now.

About the topic
Chef Cathal Armstrong, founder of Chefs As Parents, will chat about healthy lunches for the back-to-school season.

Go here to submit your questions now:
http://live.washingtonpost.com/lean-and-fit-0809.html?hpid=z7

Gazette: Teachers begin training on new math, English standards

Common Core state standards designed to advance students through gradually more complicated concepts
by Andrew Ujifusa, Staff Writer

GOCA: Farquhar Middle plans don’t conform to Olney master plan

For the record, the Greater Olney Civic Association [GOCA] is on record as opposing the busing of Farquhar students to the Tilden Holding School in Rockville. Our delegates feel it is not in the students' best interest.We have not endorsed any of the remaining options being considered by Montgomery County Public Schools in its recently published Modernization Feasibility Study Draft for the Farquhar Middle School. We are quite concerned about this process and how the voices of an entire community have not been heard.Although we recognize that a master plan does not have the effect of law, we have always been staunch defenders of the Olney Master Plan; many of our officers and delegates were instrumental in developing the language of the current (2005) revision. The Olney community has relied on what the master plan says and the need to adhere to this plan to promote orderly development and maintain an overall vision of what Olney should be.The feasibility study is endorsing a "land swap" option with a 17.2-acre property, formerly part of the Casey Property, adjacent to Farquhar Middle School that is designated to become a local park. While this may seem a simple solution on the surface, it opens a myriad of concerns...

Read entire letter to Gazette from GOCA here.

Kensington tragedy blamed on MontCo school system | Lisa Gartner | Education | Washington Examiner

Kensington tragedy blamed on MontCo school system | Lisa Gartner | Education | Washington Examiner