[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6353625,"mediaKeyId","2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62","parentId",2221142,"title","Board discusses Magruder High renaming petition; no final renaming vote during meeting","audioSeconds",993,"startMs",9422000,"endMs",10415000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62&start=9422&end=10415","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62/thumbnail_9422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6353625/Maryland/Board-discusses-Magruder-High-renaming-petition-no-final-renaming-vote-during-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353625-9b8735a1a38f5788f3f09fba01eee8ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170080&Signature=E8mDxoBzG5BFwvWTSdRKa~02eJccE7VW6bbekay9TtktkWr9CAwyunSorYjmu1dKRI6BisYRZljp8ZXiXpvG~pUkhWr0bnhUZrWaWbDplwhGut1gc95AmqZK-rohHvrL3TZUADYon6nLSwVl1QDXqFC-Urrg9PI~lW0vknKGJIYxSSwerZCMpsFrZzhfJP7hV~7NA~W5HzN8ev9dvglK0-CWoVoAAUoeYlLXLbbEmtX6YOLx8hKsFjR1o0XXuL3HlAn2fbEQK7G6EO6WfGUFfZjbRMSkPmBacxp8LmfjEJH7I5b3sVNiNcNVqDKegXJHjut0a5udK9fQZ7oZYyAhdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County Public Schools","date","2025-01-24T22:24:49Z","article","The Montgomery County Board of Education received a staff report and community engagement summary on a petition to rename Colonel Zadok Magruder High School during the Feb. 5 business meeting. The petition, filed by members of the Magruder community in February 2023, asked the board to change the school name because of Magruder's historical ties to slavery.

Staff described the FFA policy process for renaming school facilities, explained the outreach and dialogues conducted in fall 2023 (including surveys that produced mixed results), and provided a cost estimate for rebranding the school. MCPS staff estimated one-time costs associated with renaming and re-branding (new building signage, repainting, athletics uniforms and field/gym branding, stationery and administrative materials) in the neighborhood of $1 million, depending on scope and whether school colors or mascots were also changed.

Community input reported by staff showed the community was split: about 43% of respondents to the district's survey opposed changing the name, about one-third supported changing it, and 25% were unsure. Supporters cited potential positive effects on student wellbeing and alignment with current district values; opponents cited tradition and the additional cost.

After extended discussion and a procedural motion about whether to link renaming to a future capital improvement project to avoid a near-term operating appropriation, the board did not complete a final renaming vote during the meeting. Board members repeatedly asked staff to provide educational materials and engage the school community about the school's history as part of the continuing process; staff said they would follow up.

Ending: The board's technical and procedural discussion left the item for future consideration with direction for additional community education and further review of budget and timing options (operating budget vs. CIP funding). No final renaming action was taken at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education - Board Business Meeting with Tentative Adoption of the Operating Budget - 2/4/25","oneSentenceSummary","After receiving a staff report and survey results on a petition to rename Magruder High School, the board debated budget timing and community education and did not take a final renaming vote.","taxTitle","Montgomery County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",38270,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353636,"Board approves tentative FY26 operating budget, confirms cabinet picks and routine resolutions",6196,564000,6760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62&start=564&end=6760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62/thumbnail_564000.jpg","/articles/6353636/Maryland/Board-approves-tentative-FY26-operating-budget-confirms-cabinet-picks-and-routine-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353636-c2ef3f9a03b6a94987a03bf67a119211/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170080&Signature=SueLDLNNKN849Gmr-pnjSAj1aERwmDJWEr6863oA4xSxYt6vo1Ks5GPhYE6LWQPO2mh~eGfNJUKkbNzXKMqeH6Z9BAHUYpgtzcQum9KCcT0wh7FRDEMjBJQMxyC86zuPDw6gmdMQ8Hn4W49bCS1qsrC-krtgCUJeQhTjfIzwAu91~ydd8RbrPKZLGfoTKbWAmseWWyH-mQKu2BNHXzs6qG7IblxWB8DKhYBropKe87b7AOQ2AMjv~PE3jh-Dp4ejlA0MbELZesv55zi9tU3ogKMlXk1tTe5TIR6f9OOUqj-LTdF3~cbysJkesCuhJQak9zKPxJnizd~JaNTmMzdghA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Education on Feb. 5 tentatively adopted the superintendent's recommended fiscal year 2026 operating budget and approved a slate of cabinet appointments and routine resolutions in a series of motions the board handled during its business meeting.

The board voted to tentatively adopt the FY26 operating budget as amended by the board for a total of $3,655,244,116 and approved the special education staffing plan to be submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education upon final budget approval in June 2025. Board members described the budget as a step toward addressing long-standing instructional and staffing needs but said it contains difficult tradeoffs.

In a separate set of unanimous approvals, the board confirmed superintendent appointments to the cabinet, including:
- Dr. Margaret S. Cage, Chief Student Support Officer (approved unanimously)
- Kaylin Connolly, Chief Talent Management Officer (approved unanimously)
- Kimberly R. Fields, Chief Technology Officer (approved unanimously)
- Dr. Naya Hamlet, Chief Equity and Development Officer (approved unanimously)
- Nikki T. Hazel, Chief Academic Officer (approved unanimously)
- Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (approved unanimously)
- Dr. Peter O'Moran, Chief School Leadership Officer (approved unanimously)
- Robin Seabrook, General Counsel (approved unanimously)

The board also approved three resolutions recognizing African American History Month, National Board'Certified teachers, and Career and Technical Education Month; each passed by unanimous voice vote.

Consent items, including a supplement of appropriation for a Clean School Bus Grant (federal EPA grant), and routine financial reports were approved in bulk. A single abstention was recorded during an earlier bulk consent vote on non-controversial items (the speaker who abstained did not name a reason in the public transcript).

The board's procedural votes concluded with the superintendent and staff preparing to transmit the budget materials to the county executive and council for the local funding negotiations that follow the school board's tentative adoption.

Votes at a glance
- FY26 tentative operating budget (tentative adoption, $3,655,244,116): approved (all present)
- Cabinet appointments (list above): all approved by unanimous voice vote
- Resolutions recognizing African American History Month, National Board Certified teachers, and Career and Technical Education Month: approved unanimously
- Clean School Bus Grant appropriation (EPA): approved (consent)
- Summer school tuition and plan (see separate article): approved (unanimous)

The board did not take a final binding vote on the petition to rename Magruder High School during the meeting; that item was discussed at length and is covered in a separate article.

Ending: The board emphasized that tentative budget adoption is one step in a multi-stage process that includes county executive and county council review and continued public engagement.","The Montgomery County Board of Education on Feb. 5 tentatively adopted the superintendent's recommended FY26 operating budget and unanimously confirmed a slate of cabinet appointments and three ceremonial resolutions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353630,"Board says FY26 budget a 'step' on tough path; supervisors highlight pension shift, community schools and staffing",312,5513000,5825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62&start=5513&end=5825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62/thumbnail_5513000.jpg","/articles/6353630/Maryland/Board-says-FY26-budget-a-step-on-tough-path-supervisors-highlight-pension-shift-community-schools-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353630-765c93ef29045891e06b0a697ea3f9e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170081&Signature=FpGa6w4~PuRq02~w1Fk1i6LwkqwVAvaXmZwRPKtSX6B84Q1nB8uZyh7MzqtyjyUU0bja8A5CztcO-6SgwMpfspBI8zCrvm1mmiFGJXeouGrsWgvqAscpZrAfyvRxjLtDKR5LyVsmcmg~9HkIj6izuVG5Pkj343o3WpdWEhk3knWxwE3~fKas5cExpUBa6d3n3Gssu8H41Z-ENPMq2830ZV~s0o4JhhYu5KDmv7huFr5R3u5JySx77QSgGKhv1cKFq-9k1pNpDU7nWA8xIGCOOf-JrNiw4~NTGCfU7ptLBAIQCctqp71CUNtRg9KUExj7CWwNR0vQxiWkQloLhB0e1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Education on Feb. 5 described the superintendent's fiscal year 2026 operating budget as a step toward addressing staffing gaps and student needs while noting the proposal does not resolve all long-term challenges.

Superintendent Dr. Taylor and staff told the board the budget presented an increase in state aid under the governor's proposal (used for planning) and included additional state-supported community schools. Staff also warned the governor's proposal shifts pension costs to local budgets, a change the presentation put at roughly $20.9 million for the district in FY26.

Board members asked for clarification on several technical budget points. Ms. Alfonso Windsor, board fiscal committee chair, said the district began the fiscal year with an acknowledged deficit and had reduced that gap through spending restrictions and revenue actions; staff reported a current positive variance of about $7.7 million in the operational accounting picture but noted the district may need to draw on fund balance without further deficit reduction before June.

Staff summarized the key revenue and expenditure drivers the board used to reconcile a balanced FY26 presentation:
- State aid increase (including blueprint) assumed per governor proposal: roughly $37.7 million net change when paired with adjustments to local request.
- Local request reduced by approximately $991,000 from the original superintendent's request.
- Pension shift to local: roughly $20.9 million impact.
- Additional expenditures tied to state-mandated community schools and other cost drivers.

Board members repeatedly emphasized the budget's personnel focus: nearly 90% of MCPS spending is salaries and benefits, they said, and ongoing hiring and turnover assumptions (the 'lapse and turnover' figure) affect the district's ability to add positions. Staff said the board-directed changes and the addition of more than 600 positions in priority areas limited how much the district could reduce its lapse amount this year.

Several board members urged continuing community engagement as the budget moves to the county executive and the County Council for funding decisions.

Ending: Staff will submit the tentative adoption and the special education staffing plan to Maryland State Department of Education after final adoption and continue outreach to the public and county policymakers.","Board members and staff described the superintendent's FY26 operating budget as a partial response to long-standing needs. The presentation assumed the governor's proposed state aid, noted a pension cost shift and added community schools; board amendments reduced some items and postponed others.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353616,"Board approves 2025 summer school plan and tuition tiers; ESY and Title I programs remain free",504,7555000,8059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62&start=7555&end=8059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62/thumbnail_7555000.jpg","/articles/6353616/Maryland/Board-approves-2025-summer-school-plan-and-tuition-tiers-ESY-and-Title-I-programs-remain-free","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353616-6312ec11da6019da6d81ffb41861d459/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170081&Signature=FuaTO~0VJed29OE-dogYZ~4gAa69gA1hj1FHMQV8msllGj2kfoIoY5UACAm~f9OwhE4F48ubfZHiGmK7ctHqdZdsc2H7XqDy8t1ZE1us6uW~vS3ZM7JptJ-fZmlz3D5wywXlZLPV5Np84Gdayiaqpbzl3R3L37N3aXMZZUgOa4T--dZRlBdWYd2vK48-HJg-q~UnngzFA7-9I7dTXmXR4EzPxSTNoPRZBO-rEJdTe~msFoRW1HTdsY0k3ACZZ-D3jOCKTgvwqI12IMulRhkJqaz6n0lzpuJHTo-S1rPzERkfKH1J1C8iK2i3j7fbdtAkZmDzC4g2D4B~ZDDlf0sUpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Board of Education approved the 2025 summer school plan and tuition structure during its Feb. 5 business meeting. The plan centralizes in-person high school graduation courses at a single site with MCPS-provided transportation and meals, reflects growth in virtual course enrollments, and keeps federally funded and special education services free to eligible families.

Key points:
- High school core course fee: $350 per summer course.
- Reduced-rate tiers: Tier 1 and Tier 2 reductions are available for eligible families (staff cited sample reductions of $140 and $98 in presentation notes, and staff indicated reduced-price eligibility will follow district criteria).
- Extended School Year (ESY): ESY is not a summer school substitute but an individualized IEP-determined service provided at no cost, includes transportation and focuses on IEP goals; staff reported approximately 4,970 students participated in ESY in summer 2024 and projected about 5,169 students for 2025 with costs reported during the meeting ($10,123,714 for ESY in summer 2024).
- Title I ELO (Extended Learning Opportunities): Title I-funded four-week programs for K'8 and select middle grades remain free and will include meals and transportation at participating sites; staff reported roughly 8,500 students participated last summer and saw pre/post gains in math and literacy for approximately 61.3% of participating students.

Staff told the board that virtual course enrollment for high school programs grew sharply in 2024, so the district will continue to offer virtual pathways for students who need scheduling flexibility or work during the day. Schools may propose revenue-based enrichment programs (not graduation-credit courses) that would be locally run and typically not include transportation or meals; these programs are evaluated and budgeted on a per-school basis.

Ending: The board's approval preserves free access to ESY and Title I summer programs while setting tuition for high school courses; staff will publish registration information, reduced-rate eligibility criteria, and coordinate transportation and meals for grant-funded programs.","The board approved a plan that centralizes in-person high school summer instruction at a single site (with MCPS transportation), maintains grant-funded extended school year and Title I enrichment as no-cost options for eligible students, and set a core high school course fee at $350 with tiered reductions for eligible families.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353621,"Students, staff and families press board on music funding, CREA program and virtual school access",1462,2076000,3538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62&start=2076&end=3538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221142-3f35b1c50bb8825ad57a0833c530ce62/thumbnail_2076000.jpg","/articles/6353621/Maryland/Students-staff-and-families-press-board-on-music-funding-CREA-program-and-virtual-school-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353621-a1164bc1cbd51e9c0553a1bfd47a3855/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170081&Signature=cuVnutbpjhnbOdMuKu2~GbC2-9NUPepzvGsqBlqrq0adKNifMl~9xUAi2Z67PN5pmFXC2MwxceZLbc8Hei9tKRq86pBuYgx8do02o28bbhGYYLlNTpRd5Om06EBlcVeNWGemZr1rRqmuM1Mp2XJztxwGHwIlSr8E21pZ28kF3TLRcqCGEBAE60Vq8payfQ3Eh1sDOR1oiRDKlRRDsDh7jJg1FNme~RjPfRvH~z45qsoNPn4AKY-uMQwZFnMreaa2wVEboj4P5zIV1wQtDYFS-jqb9h7-vaFphYZNnOi8A2uvMe5THlcHxAODtbpnpuuhtJhU6sqAtEdwjyJWxo3KOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Feb. 5 meeting, 18 members of the public addressed the board in person and via recorded testimony on multiple topics, including arts funding, the status of the CREA (Kreia) program, sustainability, and virtual learning access.

Instrumental music and fine arts: Several student speakers urged the board to prioritize funding for instrumental music programs and school instruments, citing worn and unsanitary instruments, lengthy repair turnaround times and out-of-pocket costs for repairs. Students proposed a countywide rebranding of MCPS fine arts with a central performance website and a 10-show fine-arts pass to generate ticket revenue for programs; a student internship group offered to partner with the district on the idea.

CREA / Kreia program concerns: Multiple classroom staff and paraeducators from CREA/Kreia testified that the evening program serves emergent multilingual learners and older students at high risk of not meeting graduation requirements. Speakers described involuntary staff transfers, a lack of nursing and special education services in the evening program for students with medical needs, and worry that reclassification as a program rather than a school leaves CREA underfunded and understaffed. Staff and paraeducators asked that CREA staff be involved in planning for any CREA Plus expansion and urged that the program be treated with the staffing and funding of a school.

Virtual school access: Families and advocates urged the board to restore a comprehensive public virtual school model after the Virtual Academy's closure. Testimony from parents and statewide advocacy groups described virtual options as a lifeline for students with disabilities, medical needs, or circumstances that make in-person attendance unsafe or impractical. Speakers said the BLP (Blended Learning Program) did not replicate the full services of the previous virtual school and urged the district to either fund a local virtual school or use existing per-pupil allocations to serve students within MCPS rather than expecting the state to provide a separate solution.

Sustainability: Students and community members urged retaining the division of sustainability and compliance. Staff later said the sustainability team would remain intact but be reorganized under the Department of Maintenance; the district told the board the work would be continued under a different reporting structure.

Ending: The board heard the testimony, asked clarifying questions and directed staff follow-up on several items including sustainability placement, fine arts outreach, CREA staff involvement in planning, and summer program planning. Many public commenters asked the board to adopt or fund long-term solutions rather than interim ones.","Eighteen public commentators raised several issues including underfunding of high school instrumental music, a student-led proposal to rebrand and market MCPS fine arts, concerns from staff at CREA (Kreia) about funding, staffing and classification, and multiple callers urging reinstatement or funding of a public virtual school.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board discusses Magruder High renaming petition; no final renaming vote during meeting

Board approves tentative FY26 operating budget, confirms cabinet picks and routine resolutions

Board says FY26 budget a 'step' on tough path; supervisors highlight pension shift, community schools and staffing

Board approves 2025 summer school plan and tuition tiers; ESY and Title I programs remain free

Students, staff and families press board on music funding, CREA program and virtual school access