Montgomery County school board backs positions on multiple state bills, approves policy changes and two senior hires

The Montgomery County Board of Education on Jan. 26 voted on its legislative platform, approved final policy amendments, and confirmed two senior administrative hires.

Board staff presented five state bills and recommended positions. The board voted to support House Bill 14 (bullying reporting) with an amendment to align posting timelines with MSDE verification; supported House Bill 64 to establish a task force on education funding and student population growth (adding subgroup analysis for EML and special education); and supported House Bill 102 with amendments to clarify that special‑education services would begin only once a student is physically in attendance and to ensure county residency requirements comport with existing policy. The board also unanimously supported House Bill 160, which would bar assigning Confederate names to state or political subdivision property, and backed House Bill 288 / Senate Bill 218 to give the state superintendent authority to declare prolonged school‑closure emergencies.

The board opposed Senate Bill 158 (safe alternative routes to schools) as written, citing the fiscal burden of producing an annual countywide sidewalk/crosswalk report for a system with 211 school sites; board members said they support the bill’s safety goals but questioned funding and feasibility. Several members urged collaborative countywide solutions and noted the district is budgeting a Safe Routes to School coordinator to begin coordinated work.

On policies, the board approved final action on three policy amendments recommended by the policy management committee: DAA (fiscal responsibility and control), DIG (operating fund investments), and GIG (retirement and pension funding). Committee chairs said the policies reflected stakeholder engagement and technical updates; each policy was approved by unanimous vote.

Administrative appointments: Superintendent Thomas Taylor introduced Steven Dalney as the new director of educational technology (more than 27 years of experience); the board approved the appointment unanimously. The board likewise approved the appointment of Dr. Kelly Karabal Hegman as supervisor of PreK–5 English language arts in the department of curriculum development.

Votes at a glance: HB14 — support with amendment (unanimous); HB64 — support with amendment (unanimous); HB102 — support with amendments (unanimous); HB160 — support (unanimous); HB288/SB218 — support (unanimous); SB158 — oppose as written (motion carried; several abstentions recorded on the motion to oppose). Policy DAA, DIG, GIG — final action approved (each unanimous). Appointments — Steven Dalney and Dr. Kelly Karabal Hegman approved (each unanimous).

What happens next: The board’s legislative positions will be communicated to the county’s legislative contacts as part of its platform. The approved policies will be posted as final action and the superintendent’s office will onboard the newly appointed administrators.

Key quotes: "We are recommending support with amendment" (staff summary on HB14). "This is clearly a community priority... but our existing resources are constrained," said Superintendent Taylor during discussion of safe‑routes funding and capital constraints.

The meeting concluded after other information items and a unanimous adjournment vote.