During this morning’s County Council meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight and Board of Education Vice President Brenda Wolfe gave an update on MCPS’ COVID-19 response.
McKnight said that an announcement will be coming later today regarding more schools going virtual beginning this Thursday, January 20th. The schools were not listed during the meeting.
Meeting Notes:
Brenda Wolfe:
-Expressed appreciation towards students, staff, and community for their passionate advocacy for students.
-Challenges and obstacles shifted during pandemic.
-No central agreement on how to proceed, must listen to a vast array of voices.
-Listening closely to what health, education, and operational experts say.
-BOE is committed to an open conversation.
Monifa McKnight:
-Began by thanking the Council and saying she was deeply appreciative towards leaders of the county and families.
-Pandemic has taken a lot of patience, 20 months later still shifting and making adjustments.
-Unlike anything our school system has experienced in modern history.
-MCPS has been a leader in the response to COVID-19. 53,000 students served during summer school program last year.
-Increase in pay to substitute teachers as part of alleviating shortage challenges.
-There is no specific threshold for automatic transition to virtual learning.
-Multiple factors to determine if schools go virtual, including staff absences, student absences, unserved bus routes, unfilled substitute positions, and COVID-19 case rates.
-MCPS is requesting support from DHHS (or another government agency) to assume all responsibility for contact tracing.
-MCPS is asking Montgomery County to provide 190K rapid tests every other week in order to provide kit to every student and every staff member.
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4 comments
I am sorry, but you have had 20 months and still have no identifiable plan. Your vague “schools will be looked at on a case by case basis” language is your way of once again passing the buck and hiding the data. McKnight is doing a horrible job. She lies, hides data, doesn’t listen to the actual people in the buildings and is not doing what is in the best interest of the students. While Covid is partly to blame for the staffing shortages, more of it has to do with her lack of leadership. This is more gaslighting to the community. It is time for her to go.
I think we need too think twice before bashing people in leadership. Let’s walk a mile in her shoes and give her some credit. Let’s be honest here Covid is simply enemy to us all. This is the time for us as parents to do our part and do the needful for the sake of our children.
He/she/them without mistakes M nay you cast the first stone. Stop being so quick to judge. It’s easy to citizens when you have no idea of all the facts and circumstances that are at play.
He/she/them without mistakes may you cast the first stone. Stop being so quick to judge. It’s easy to critisize when you have no idea of all the facts and circumstances that are at play.