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School board approves alternative to 10-day suspension program, construction planned for spring
Summary
After a presentation and extended board discussion about supports and implementation, the Montgomery County School Board approved an alternative to 10-day suspensions at Montgomery Central and included program staffing in the draft budget.
The Montgomery County School Board approved an alternative-to-10-day-suspension program on Jan. 13 after administrators outlined a plan to provide in-person instruction and behavioral supports at Montgomery Central as an alternative to extended out-of-school suspensions.
Dr. Mike Brown updated the board on construction and timeline: architects expected to finish plans within days, the administration will solicit construction pricing, and the classroom portion is hoped to be complete by May (construction estimated 30'60 days after a contractor is selected). The plan repurposes part of an old cafeteria space into instructional areas that could be used for other purposes if the program is discontinued.
Board members asked detailed questions about pilot timing, policy implications, and supports for students with repeated disciplinary incidents. Administrators said staffing and program costs were incorporated into the current and next year's budgets: an earlier line in the discussion referenced $137,000 of investment under consideration, and the superintendent's recommended budget includes $200,000 for program staffing and one-time construction costs covered from prior-year funds. Administrators described the program mechanics: students would spend the first three days at home and, if assigned to the alternative, report to the program for days 4—6; the goal is to keep students engaged academically and provide coping strategies and role-play interventions so they can rejoin their home schools on days 7—.
Board members pressed for built-in assessment and a requirement to review program effectiveness; several members favored launching the program now with an annual review rather than a delayed pilot. Administrators noted that functional behavioral assessments and behavior intervention plans would be used for students with repeated suspensions, and the Montgomery Central review processes (9-week reviews) provide oversight for placements.
After discussion, a motion to approve the alternative education program as presented passed unanimously by roll call (7 in favor). The board directed staff to implement the program, incorporate staffing into the recommended FY 2027 budget, and bring back evaluative data to the board following initial implementation.
The vote means the district will move forward with renovating the identified space and hiring staff for the alternative program as outlined in budget materials.
