Board of Education Discusses Human Resources and Development Key Practices for a Diverse Workforce; Discusses Wellness and Restorative Practices; Takes Final Action and Adopts Updated Policy ABA, Community Engagement; Takes Tentative Action on Board of Education Policy ABC, Parent and Family Involvement and Policy BBB, Ethics; Makes Administrative Appointments

The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) held a business meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. During the meeting, the Board discussed Human Resources and Development Key Practices for a Diverse Workforce; discussed Wellness and Restorative Practices; took final action and adopted updated Policy ABA, Community Engagement; took tentative action on Board of Education Policy ABC, Parent and Family Involvement and Policy BBB, Ethics; and made four administrative appointments. The agenda for the meeting, with related links, can be viewed on the Board website. Watch the meeting recording.

Human Resources and Development Key Practices for a Diverse Workforce: MCPS staff presented teacher hiring data for fiscal year 2023, shared data-driven approaches to recruitment and highlighted increased efforts for the current year. Staff also outlined the Grow Your Own program for both current staff and students, and shared higher education partnerships for employees and community members, and various other supports, trainings, and professional development opportunities for staff. Read the memorandum to the Board. View the PowerPoint Presentation

Wellness and Restorative Practices: MCPS staff presented on student mental health and well-being and increased instances of bullying and hate-bias. Staff also shared the structures and processes currently in place to address bullying, harassment, and hate-bias, as well as enhancements to Restorative Justice practices and the continued development of the student wellness infrastructure. Read the memorandum to the Board. View the PowerPoint Presentation

Board of Education Policy ABA, Community Involvement: The Board voted to take final action and approve updates to Board of Education Policy ABA, Community Involvement. The approved updates change the name to Policy ABA, Community Engagement, as informed by research-based guidelines for community engagement processes that articulate clear purposes for engagement, and affirm the Board’s commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive, and antiracist engagement guidelines, structures, and practices to inform Board decision-making processes. Read the memorandum to the Board

Board of Education Policy ABC, Parent and Family Involvement: The Board took tentative action on draft amendments to Montgomery County Board of Education Policy ABC, Parent and Family Involvement. Recommended amendments include changing the name to Board of Education Policy ABC, Family-School Partnerships. The amendments have been developed to establish inclusive, culturally responsive and antiracist processes for parent/guardian engagement in decisions affecting their students and their students’ schools. Draft amendments also comply with federal requirements for policy that affirms building the capacity of parents, guardians, families, and school staff to engage in meaningful, two-way partnerships to support the education and well-being of all children, in alignment with updated standards from the National Parent/Teacher Association’s (PTA) National Standards for Family-School Partnerships. The recommended draft policy will be sent out for public comment. Read the memorandum to the Board

Board of Education Policy BBB, Ethics: The Board took tentative action on draft technical amendments to Montgomery County Board of Education Policy BBB, Ethics. The amendments have been developed to comply with modifications to the Maryland State Ethics Law, which include new conflict of interest provisions and additional disclosures that boards of education must incorporate into their ethics policies. In addition to these technical amendments, the Montgomery County Board of Education Ethics Panel recommended two additional changes regarding unsolicited gifts an official may accept. The recommended draft policy will be sent out for public comment. Read the memorandum to the Board

Administrative Appointments– The Board approved the following administrative appointments:

Dr. Tamitha E. Campbell, currently Acting Director, Office of School Support and Well-Being, Office of the Deputy Superintendent, as Director, Office of School Support and Well-Being, Office of the Deputy Superintendent

Dr. Joe L. Rubens, Jr., currently Principal, John F. Kennedy High School, as Director, Office of School Support and Well-Being, Office of the Deputy Superintendent

Michael K. Lewis, currently Acting Assistant Director, Department of Transportation, Office of District Operations, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, as Assistant Director, Department of Transportation, Office of District Operations, Office of the Chief Operating Officer

Travis J. Wiebe, currently Director, Department of Human Capital Management, Office of Human Resources and Development, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, as Principal, Somerset Elementary School

Recognitions

• Educators Who Earned Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 2022

Future Meeting: The Board is scheduled to hold its next business meeting on Thursday, February 23, 2022. The agenda is subject to change. Please check the Board website and meeting calendar for further information.