The Board of Education will hold its business meeting on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Closed session will begin at 1:00 p.m. Public agenda items will begin at 3:30 p.m.  The meeting will be cablecast live on Comcast Channel 34 (HD 1071), Verizon Channel 36, RCN Channel 89 and the MCPS website. The agenda, with related materials attached, can be found on the Board of Education’s BoardDocs site (please visit this link for the most up-to-date agenda)

1. Closed Session Approval – 1:00 p.m.
1.1 Acknowledgement of a Quorum
1.2 Resolution for Today’s Closed Session REVISED This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.

2. Opening of Meeting – 3:30 p.m.
2.1 Approval of the REVISED Agenda

3. Human Resources and Development – 3:31 p.m.
3.1 Administrative and Supervisory Draft Appointments Process (oral discussion)
3.2 Recommended Appointments

4. Recognitions – 4:30 p.m.
4.1 Native American Heritage Month and Day This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.2 National School Psychology Week This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
4.3 National Principals Month This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.

5. Public Comments – 4:40 p.m.
5.1 Peter Boyko
5.2 Nico D’Orazio This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
5.3 Sam Ross This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
5.4 Eliana Dolven-Miller This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
5.5 Jennifer Martin
5.6 Christine Handy
5.7 Tsion Siyum
5.8 Cynthia Simonson
5.9 Brigid Howe This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
5.10 Wubale Woldie This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
5.11 Nebiyou Tesfaye
5.12 Rebeka Yitayew
5.13 Selam Admassie This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
5.14 Leslie Guyo This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
5.15 Dawit Gebreyohannes
5.16 Ruta Habte
5.17 Mihret Dullo This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
5.18 Alem Meseret
5.19 Tara Floyd This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.

6. Item of Discussion – 5:40 p.m.
6.1 Student Data/Pathway Milestone: Evidence of Learning: EOY 2022-2023 ResultsThis Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.

7. Action on Board Policies – 6:40 p.m.
7.1 Final Action, Policy ABC, Parent and Family Involvement This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
7.2 Final Action, Policy BLB, Rules of Procedure in Appeals and Hearings This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.

8. Item of Discussion – 7:10 p.m.
8.1 2024–2025 Draft School Year CalendarThis Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.

9. Consent Items – 7:50 p.m.
9.1 Award of Contract—Gaithersburg Middle School Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Replacement Phase I Project REVISED This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
9.2 Award of Contracts—General Contractor Services for Special Projects This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
9.3 Acceptance of Westbrook Elementary School Addition Project REVISED This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
9.4 Change Order Over $100,000—Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary School Addition Project This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
9.5 Lynnbrook Center—Childcare Lease AmendmentThis Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
9.6 Watkins Mill High School—Telecommunications Lease AmendmentThis Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.

10. Board of Education Items – 8:00 p.m.
10.1 Future Closed Session Resolution This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
10.2 Report of Previous Closed Session This Agenda Item Contains an Attachment.
10.3 Approval of Committee Workplan – Policy Management
10.4 Minutes for the October 10, 2023, Meeting
10.5 New Business

11. Informational Summary – 8:05 p.m.
11.1 Informational Summary for the October 12, 2023, Meeting

12. Adjournment – 8:10 p.m.

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The Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Xavier Munox-Dasilva, a missing 12-year-old. Munoz-Dasilva was last seen at midnight, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, in the 8000 block of 13th St. in Silver Spring. He is 5’2″, 90 lbs, with black hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing all black clothing.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Xavier Munoz-Dasilva is asked to call Montgomery County Police Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

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12:45pm UPDATE: Paint Branch High School has been cleared. Students, teachers, and staff are returning to school.

Update: MCPD has provided two updates, at 12:01pm and 12:24pm, stating that the bomb threat is still under investigation.

According to Montgomery County Police at 11:41am, “Paint Branch High School is evacuating, following the report of a bomb threat. MCPD is investigating the validity of the threat. More information will be released as it becomes available.”

Two high schools evacuated yesterday (Wednesday, October 25th) due to bomb threats– Albert Einstein High School in Kensington and Springbrook High School in Silver Spring, before being given clearance to return a couple hours later. Before that, a12-year-old was identified as the person responsible for multiple bomb threats targeting Montgomery Blair High School and Oak View Elementary School has been identified. On October 13, 16, and 23, Montgomery County Public Schools received threats sent via email to Montgomery Blair High School.

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The Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Kelly Nana Acquah, a missing 14-year-old. Acquah was last seen on Monday, October 23, 2023, at approximately 7:20 a.m., in the 14000 block of Castle Blvd. in Silver Spring. He is 5’9, 130 lbs, with brown hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black jacket with a blue design on the back, black jeans and black shoes.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Kelly Nana Acquah is asked to call Montgomery County Police
Non-Emergency (301) 279-8000 (24-hour line).

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Per the Maryland State Police: “Maryland State Police are asking people to properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs during national drug take back day. Citizens can drop off unused prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 at all 23 Maryland State Police barracks. Maryland State Police are participating as part of the 25th National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative by the Drug Enforcement Administration. During the last take back in April, the DEA collected about 11,750 pounds of unwanted drugs at more than 100 sites in Maryland from 31 law enforcement agencies, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Maryland State Police collected more than 1,100 pounds including:

  • Frederick Barrack: 207 pounds
  • Leonardtown Barrack: 128 pounds
  • Rockville Barrack: 112 pounds
  • Golden Ring Barrack: 98 pounds
  • North East Barrack: 78 pounds
  • College Park Barrack: 70 pounds

The event aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing prescription drugs, while educating the public about medication misuse. All Maryland State Police barracks are equipped with secure drug collection boxes that are available 24/7. Citizens can drop off unused medications at the closest barrack—no questions asked at any time, even if they are unable to participate in Saturday’s event.

Maryland State Police since 2014 has removed more than 27,000 pounds of prescription drugs in an effort to prevent the opioid addiction. The agency is a partner in the Opioid Operational Command Center, which facilitates collaboration between state, local public health and safety entities to combat the deadly heroin and opioid crisis.  Before It’s Too Late is the state’s effort to bring awareness to this epidemic and its impact on Maryland communities.”

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Per the State of Maryland (10:25.23): Today, Governor Wes Moore proclaimed 2024 as Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights during a launch event at the Banneker-Douglass Museum, Maryland’s official African American history and culture museum. Joined by First Lady Dawn Moore and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, the launch celebrated the upcoming events that will honor Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights and the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“Studying history isn’t just about knowing what happened in the past. It’s about knowing our power in the present. That’s what Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights is about,” said Gov. Moore. “And so my message to Marylanders is simple:—get out into our communities and take advantage of the programs being offered during Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights. Let’s practice our history, let’s protect our history, and let’s participate in our history, by making history of our own.”

Maryland is home to civil rights icons such as Verda Freeman Welcome, Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman, Thurgood Marshall, and Gloria Richardson and has been the backdrop to pivotal civil rights legislation, from the Treaty of Cambridge to Bell vs. Maryland. Throughout 2024, museums and organizations across the state will present programming that celebrates Maryland’s role in civil rights with national and state heritage organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Park Service, Maryland Heritage Areas, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.

“I couldn’t think of a better place to kick off Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights than at the Banneker-Douglass Museum, where we stand in a living tribute to the extraordinary contributions of African Americans from all walks of life,” said First Lady Dawn Moore. “African American history is about the vast tapestry of stories that have brought us to this point over generations. We have a responsibility to uplift our stories-and the stories of so many others,”

The Moore-Miller administration is committed to uplifting and preserving Black history in the state of Maryland. In February, Governor Moore proclaimed Civil Rights Heroes Day in Maryland. And in April, Governor Moore announced increased funding for the African American Heritage Preservation Program, from $1 million annually to $5 million.

“Pausing to observe pivotal moments and the courageous actions of our ancestors reminds us of our responsibility to continue their important work that yet remains unfinished,” said Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture Chair Dr. Edwin T. Johnson.

To learn more about the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, visit https://africanamerican.maryland.gov/.

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Fox 5 has released its 2023-2024 Winter Weather Outlook forecast and they’re expecting “more snow than an average winter, but big winter events may not arrive until the new year.” The backloaded winter could come with a warm December that brings more rain storms than snow storms, but the chance for 1-3 storms at the 5″+ level later in the winter. The outlook states that we have an “above average chance for a blizzard-level storm.”

The outlook discusses a strong El Niño weather pattern (typically wetter and warmer) that Thomas described as “feast or famine” for our area. Out of eight previous strong El Niño winters, four of them have brought us well-above average snowfall (average snowfall for DC is 13.8″), one has been at about average (13.1″), and three have been well-below average (one at 6.6″ and two with almost no snow at all- .1″ in 72-73 and 97-98). Since 1950, El Niños have brought almost twice as much snow in average than La Niñas have (18.5 inches to 9.5 inches).

Meteorologist Tucker Barnes said “maybe we see fewer snow events, but when we do, they’re something to watch.” Almost all of Montgomery County is in the 12″-20″ range and is joined by surrounding DC, Howard County, Prince George’s County, and Fairfax County. Frederick County and half of Loudoun make it into the 18″-28″ range.

Last year, DC only got .4″ of snow and the FOX 5 outlook had most of the region in the 9″-18″ zone. While winter weather underperformed last year and the Outlook was a bit off, the team at FOX 5 is usually fairly accurate with its outlook. The full outlook from FOX 5 can be seen hereFeatured photo courtesy of FOX 5.

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Congratulations to students at six high schools for winning the following county and district championships (Courtesy of MCPS and MCPS Athletics):

Winston Churchill for winning the 3A/4A Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association’s (MPSSAA’s) District Championship in Golf

Poolesville for winning the 2A/1A MPSSAA District Championship in Golf

The Quince Orchard girls’ soccer team for winning the 2023 MCPS county championship

The Damascus boys’ soccer team for winning the 2023 MCPS county championship

The Winston Churchill field hockey team for winning its third consecutive county championship

The Thomas S. Wootton boys’ cross country team for winning the 2023 county championship. Shout out to Churchill’s Nate Swanson for capturing the individual title.

The Walter Johnson girls’ cross country team for winning the 2023 county championship. Shout out to Churchill’s Katherine Morey for capturing the individual title.

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Statement by Rockville Mayor and City Council: “We unequivocally condemn Hamas’s targeted violence against innocent civilians in Israel, which has resulted in unconscionable barbaric murder and rape, attacking entire families from babies to elders, and the kidnapping of civilians, including children, who remain hostage. The attacks by the terrorist Hamas were long planned and practiced. The brutality was intended; not acts by individual soldiers. We recognize that Israeli Arabs were targeted alongside Israeli Jews.

This unprovoked attack aligns with the Hamas mission to eradicate the State of Israel and murder all Jews. Israel, a nation state endorsed and voted into the United Nations 75 years ago, has the right to protect its citizens, tourists, and visitors against insurgents. Its borders were breached, the country invaded in the most horrific manner, from land, air and sea was a deliberate provocation coming as it did during a religious holiday, on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war. For what evil purpose, we cannot fathom. Innocent Israelis and Palestinians, as always in war, will bear the consequences of Hamas’s terrorist attacks for years to come.

We grieve the innocent loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives over the past week, and we condemn all violence against civilians. In just one week, this conflict resulted in thousands of Israeli and Palestinian deaths, including nearly 1,000 innocent children. An estimated 222 Israelis, Americans and other hostages remain hidden in Gaza. Their loved ones are experiencing unimaginable grief while fearing whether they are alive or slaughtered by their captors. The scale and cruelty of this violence is shocking, appalling, and heartbreaking.

Rockville unequivocally denounces this Hamas attack and all targeted terrorist genocidal actions aimed at the eradication of any religious, ethnic, racial, national or other minority population.

We recognize that many members of our Rockville community have family and friends who are directly impacted. We urge all in our Rockville communities to practice empathy, to recognize our collective humanity and right to life and freedom, to grieve the immense loss of life, and to allow ourselves to be shocked and devastated. We cannot afford to be numb and helpless but must see the humanity of ourselves and others. What we are witnessing is not a political tragedy, but a human one. At times like this, it is important to remember that hate has no home in Rockville.

The Rockville Mayor and Council have approved the lighting of City Hall and Rockville City Police along with Montgomery County Police have increased patrols of places of worship and schools in our community. Please report potential hate crimes and share available resources: Reporting Hate Crimes and Bias.”

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As Metro prepares for critical safety repairs on the Red Line during the last two weeks of the year, plans are underway to ensure customers are well-informed about travel alternatives to get them to and from Red Line stations where service will be interrupted. Metro scheduled the work at the end of December, while ridership is at its lowest, to have the least impact on customers.

Per WMATA: To complete the work safely and efficiently, there will be no Red Line service between Dupont Circle and Gallery Place between Monday, Dec. 18 and Saturday, Dec. 30. Farragut North and Metro Center (upper level) will be closed. Blue, Orange, and Silver line service will continue to be available for customers at Metro Center; however, both entrances on G Street NW at 11th and 13th streets will be closed to accommodate equipment and work crews. Customers can access the station at both entrances on 12th Street NW instead.

From Friday, Dec. 22 through Sunday, Dec. 24, Metro will extend the work zone with no Red Line service between Dupont Circle and Union Station. Judiciary Square Station will be closed and Red Line service will be unavailable at Gallery Place. Additionally, the Gallery Place entrance at Ninth & G streets NW will be closed.

Over the two-week period, Metro will repair the deteriorated concrete ceiling above both tracks, dating back to the Metro system’s earliest days. While completing these critical repairs, work crews will also complete other essential maintenance work to avoid future service disruptions, including:

  • Replace switch machines
  • Install nearly 40,000 linear feet of fiber-optic cables
  • Replace concrete grout pads that stabilize the tracks
  • Perform leak repairs
  • Install platform edge lighting at all closed stations
  • Replacing rail fasteners and repairing rail joints
  • Install additional insulators that provide a barrier between the electrified third rail and ground

Ridership is historically 40 percent lower during this time and completing the work with the Red Line out of service at a small number of stations will get the work done faster and affect fewer customers. In two weeks, Metro crews will be able to accomplish what would normally take three months if done on weekends.

Outside of the work zone, Red Line trains will arrive every 8 minutes at stations between Shady Grove and Dupont Circle and every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m. Between Gallery Place and Glenmont trains will run 10 minutes all day. All other lines will operate normal service frequencies. Between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory where the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines overlap trains will arrive at stations every 3-4 minutes during the day and every 5 minutes after 9:30 p.m. on the Green and Yellow lines trains will arrive every four minutes from L’Enfant Plaza to Mt Vernon Square trains will arrive every three minutes during peak periods and every four minutes all other times.

Service Information and Travel Alternatives
Dec Red Line shutdown Dupont - Gallery - Union Station

December 18-21 and 25-30, 2023

  • No Red Line service between Dupont Circle and Gallery Place
  • Trains will operate in two segments:
  • Between Shady Grove and Dupont Circle every 8 minutes and after 9:30 p.m. every 10 minutes; and
  • Between Gallery Place and Glenmont every 10 minutes all day
  • Farragut North and Metro Center (upper level) closed
  • Free shuttle buses replace trains:

    Shuttle 1
    Express service every 6-8 minutes between Dupont Circle and Gallery Place

    Shuttle locations:

    Dupont Circle
    – Boards at the station’s north entrance at Connecticut Ave and Q St NW
    Gallery Place – Boards at the station’s north entrance at H and Seventh streets NW (by Chinese Friendship Archway) *Wheelchair accessible vehicle available at Seventh Street NW between F & G streets

    Shuttle 2
    Express service every 6-8 minutes between Dupont Circle and Farragut West.

    Shuttle locations:


    Dupont Circle
    – Boards at the station’s north entrance at Connecticut Ave and Q St NW
    Farragut West – Boards at the station’s west entrance at 18th & I streets NW

    Shuttle 3
    Local service every 6-8 minutes between Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Metro Center, and Gallery Place.

    Shuttle locations:

    Dupont Circle – Boards at the station’s North Entrance at Connecticut Ave and Q St NW
    Farragut North – Northbound to Dupont Circle boards at station’s north entrance (by Mayflower Hotel) at Connecticut & L streets NW; and southbound to Metro Center and Gallery Place boards at station’s west entrance (Washington Square) at Connecticut & L streets NW
    Metro Center – Boards at the station’s north entrance at 12th & G streets NW
    Gallery Place – Boards at the station’s north entrance at H and Seventh streets NW (by Chinese Friendship Archway) *Wheelchair accessible vehicle available at Seventh Street NW between F & G streets

December 22-24, 2023

  • No Red Line service between Dupont Circle and Union Station
  • Trains will operate in two segments: Between Shady Grove and Dupont Circle; and from Union Station to Glenmont every 8 minutes and after 9:30 p.m. every 10 minutes.
  • Farragut North, Metro Center (upper level), Gallery Place (upper level), Judiciary Square closed
  • Free shuttle buses replace trains:

    Shuttle 1
    Express service every 6-8 minutes between Dupont Circle and Union Station

    Shuttle locations:

    Dupont Circle – Boards at the station’s north entrance at Connecticut Ave and Q St NW
    Union Station – Boards at Massachusetts Ave & E St NE *Wheelchair accessible vehicle available at First & G streets NE entrance

    Shuttle 2
    Express service every 6-8 minutes between Dupont Circle and Farragut West

    Shuttle locations:

    Dupont Circle – Boards at the station’s north entrance at Connecticut Ave and Q St NW
    Farragut West – Boards at the station’s west entrance at 18th & I streets NW

    Shuttle 3
    Local service every 8-10 minutes between Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place, Judiciary Sq, and Union Station

    Shuttle locations:

    Union Station – Boards at Massachusetts Ave & E St NE *Wheelchair accessible vehicle available at First & G streets NE entrance
    Judiciary Square – Westbound shuttles board at E and Fourth streets NW; eastbound boards at E and Fourth streets NW
    Gallery Place – Westbound shuttles toward Dupont Circle board on westbound H and Seventh streets NW (across from station entrance) and eastbound shuttles toward Union Station board on eastbound at H and Seventh streets NW (next to station entrance) *Wheelchair accessible vehicle available at Seventh Street NW between F & G streets
    Metro Center – Boards at the north entrance at 12th & G streets NW Farragut North – Northbound shuttles to Dupont Circle board at station’s north entrance (by Mayflower Hotel) at Connecticut & L streets NW; and southbound/southeast shuttles toward Union Station board at west entrance (Washington Square) at Connecticut & L streets NW
    Dupont Circle – Boards at the station’s North Entrance at Connecticut Ave and Q St NW

A wheelchair accessible vehicle will be available at the same location as shuttle buses unless otherwise noted. Customers are also encouraged to consider regular route Metrobus service as an alternative and Red Line customers traveling to/from downtown Dec 22-24 may also consider transferring to/from the Green Line via Fort Totten.

For more information and additional travel alternatives, visit here.

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