For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division are investigating the December 9 armed robbery that occurred in the 3000 block of Briggs Chaney Road. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspects and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them.
At approximately 1:55 p.m. that day, 3rd District officers responded to the Exxon Station for the report of an armed robbery that just occurred. The investigation by detectives determined that three unknown male suspects entered the business, while one unknown male remained outside as a look-out. One suspect walked behind the counter, displayed a handgun and demanded that the employee give him money from the register. The employee complied with the suspect’s demands. At that time, a store employee attempted to intervene but stopped when one suspect pointed the gun at him. The suspects then exited the business with the stolen money and fled the scene on foot towards Teagarden Circle.
All four suspects are described as Black males, wearing dark clothing.
Anyone with information regarding these suspects or this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.
(ROCKVILLE, MD) – A Maryland state trooper was struck while conducting a traffic stop on southbound I-270 early this morning in Montgomery County.
The trooper is identified as Trooper Brian DeHaven. He is assigned to Rockville Barrack. Trooper DeHaven was transported to Suburban Hospital for the treatment of his injuries sustained in the crash.
The vehicle involved in the crash is a 2012 Toyota Venza. The driver of the Toyota is identified as Jose Ascencio, 44, of Germantown. Ascencio was uninjured during the incident. Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
At 6:10 a.m. this morning, Trooper DeHaven was struck by a Toyota Venza while he was outside of his patrol vehicle on the left shoulder of I-270 south at Exit 6, Route 28/West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville. The trooper was conducting a traffic stop on a 2019 Kia passenger car.
The trooper’s marked Ford Explorer was parked behind the Kia with its emergency lights activated on the left shoulder of the highway. The trooper was outside of his patrol vehicle conducting the traffic stop. He was standing in between the jersey wall and the driver’s side of the Kia when the Toyota Venza swerved and struck both the trooper and the two parked vehicles.
Emergency medical service personnel responded. Trooper DeHaven was transported by ambulance to Suburban Hospital for his injuries. The drivers of both the Kia and Toyota were uninjured during the incident.
The Maryland State Police Crash team is conducting the investigation. Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration personnel responded to assist with the lane closure.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation. The investigation continues…
Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) – Major Crimes Division continue to investigate the October 12 armed robbery of a bank in Rockville. Investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.
On Tuesday, October 12, at approximately 4:00 p.m., 1st District Officers and Rockville City Police responded to a bank in the 1100 block of Nelson Street for the report of a robbery that just occurred.
The investigation by detectives determined that the suspect entered the bank and displayed a firearm. The suspect then demanded money from the employees. The employees complied with the suspect’s demands. The suspect then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of stolen money from the bank.
The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5-feet-9-inches tall, thin build, wearing a dark long sleeve jacket and black cargo pants. The suspect was wearing a ski mask and blue gloves.
Anyone with information regarding this suspect or this crime is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.
The Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) conducted a hybrid (virtual and in-person) business meeting on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
During the meeting, the Board received an update on fall reopening; took action on two charter school applications; made several administrative appointments; and took action on previous new business items. The agenda for the meeting, with links to related materials, can be viewed on the Board of Education website.
Watch the recording of the July 27, 2021, meeting.
Fall Preview: Opening Schools with Innovative Calendar
The Board received an update and held a discussion on the reopening of schools. All schools will return to their pre-COVID schedules, including bell times, bus schedules, number and length of class periods per day, lunch and recess. All Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face coverings in school buildings this fall, regardless of vaccination status. This decision aligns with recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as local health officials. COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the nation and in Montgomery County, and students under 12 do not have access to vaccines. Masking requirements will be reviewed regularly and are subject to change as the district reviews guidance from federal, state, and local health officials.
Watch this video for a preview of what to expect for the fall.
View the PowerPoint Presentation.
Charter School Applications
The Board received an update from MCPS staff and took final action on two applications for charter schools in Montgomery County—the Washington-McLaughlin Charter School for Boys, Inc. and the Washington-McLaughlin Charter School for Girls Inc. and the M.E.C.C.A. Business Learning Institute Charter School.
On June 29, 2021, the Board received a presentation and recommendation regarding the strengths and areas of concern for The Washington-McLaughlin Charter School applications.
Interim Superintendent, Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, did not recommend Board approval of the application for The Washington-McLaughlin Charter School for Boys, Inc. and The Washington-McLaughlin Charter School for Girls Inc., because the charter school application did not demonstrate the following:
- clear understanding of the federal requirements to operate a single-sex school;
- justification for the proposed-single sex structure, including distinct learning strategies for male and female students;
- plan for the preparation of the school site;
- plan for maintenance and operations;
- viable financial plan; and
- viable plan for enrollment or demonstrated community interest.
The Board unanimously voted to deny the application.
On June 29, 2021, the Board of Education discussed the M.E.C.C.A. Business Learning Institute’s (MBLI) public charter school application. MBLI seeks to open a public charter school in the 2022–2023 school year. The school would be a business academy for middle and high school students with the vision to prepare students to lead, manage, and competently conduct business in a rapidly-changing society by teaching them essential skills and a respect for core values of integrity, accountability, diversity, courage, respect, and community. At the June 29 Board business meeting, staff presented an overview of MBLI’s strengths and weaknesses as identified by the Charter School Application Review Panel.
During the July 27 discussion, Dr. McKnight also did not recommend Board approval of the M.E.C.C.A. charter school application, because it did not demonstrate the following:
- evidence of necessary funding supports;
- a complete transportation plan;
- a clear revenue stream (before- and after-school program) that can generate the needed funds; and
- details of arrangements, including repayment structure, for addressing the shortfall in revenues.
The Board voted unanimously to deny the application.
Appointments
The Board of Education approved the following administrative appointments:
Natasha D. Bolden, currently principal, Mill Creek Towne Elementary School, as executive director, Office of Teaching, Learning, and Schools (OTLS)
Tracy D. Oliver-Gary, currently content specialist, Pre-K-12 Social Studies, Department of Pre-K-12 Curriculum, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Programs, OTLS, as supervisor, Pre-K-12 Social Studies, OTLS
Vincent R. Liburd, currently assistant principal, Montgomery Village Middle School, as principal, Montgomery Village Middle School
Nichola A. Wallen, currently assistant principal, Galway Elementary School, as principal, Wyngate Elementary School
Previous New Business Items
The Board approved new business items resolutions from the July 15, 2021, Board business meeting that were lying on the table pending further action by the full Board. The resolutions approved were as follows:
- The Board adopted a resolution amending its previous Examination of Student Achievement Data for English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Latino Students resolution (Resolution 381-20) to remove the specified project completion date of March 31, 2021, and allow respondents to submit proposed project costs.
- The Board adopted a resolution directing the superintendent of schools to correct the name of Ronald McNair Elementary School by amending the school’s name to “Dr. Ronald E. McNair Elementary School” no later than December 2021.
Future Meetings
The Board is scheduled to hold its next business meeting on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. The agenda is subject to change. Please check the Board website and meeting calendar for further information.
About the Board of Education
The Montgomery County Board of Education is the official educational policymaking body in the county. The Board is responsible for the direction and operation of the public school system. The Board consists of seven county residents elected by voters for a four-year term and a student elected by secondary school students for a one-year term. Board members are elected countywide but run at-large or from the Board district in which they reside.
Montgomery County Board of Education: Mrs. Brenda Wolff, president; Ms. Karla Silvestre, vice president. Members: Dr. Judith Docca, Mrs. Shebra L. Evans, Ms. Lynne Harris, Mrs. Patricia O’Neill, Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski, and Ms. Hana O’Looney, student member. Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, interim superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. Office of the Board: 240-740-3030.
