The Montgomery County Board of Education will hold a public hearing regarding the future of the MCPS Virtual Academy program (and others) on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 6:00 pm. The Board has announced it is considering making modifications to or eliminating the MCPS Virtual Academy (also known as the Montgomery Virtual Academy or MVA), which was funded through the use of the ESSER grant during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program’s Parent Teacher Council has started a petition in support of the program.
In the petition, the program’s Parent Teacher Council states that “The Montgomery Virtual Academy offers a level of flexibility and accessibility that is unparalleled in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. For families with diverse needs and circumstances, such as medical conditions, learning styles, or scheduling conflicts, the Montgomery Virtual Academy serves as a lifeline, allowing students to receive a high-quality education from the comfort and safety of their own homes.” As of Wednesday evening, 560 people have signed the petition in the two days since it was created.
The hearing will be held in-person and will be open to the public. The Board also will accept pre-recorded audio and video testimony submissions. All testimonies will be made available to the public on BoardDocs. Individuals who wish to provide public comments must register using the online registration form. Testimony registration for the February 20, 2024, hearing will open on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. CLICK HERE to register. Individuals registering may reserve only one space. Registration will close on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.