NAACP Parent Council presses MCPS board for concrete steps on equity, curriculum and restorative practices

NAACP Parent Council members and Montgomery County Board of Education officials held a virtual briefing to press the district for concrete actions in its strategic plan aimed at improving outcomes for Black and Brown students.

The council’s moderator, Sabrina, opened the meeting by saying the group was "solely focused, particularly focused on the Black and Brown students," and asked board members to identify what in the strategic plan would specifically address climate, identity and safety concerns for those students. Vice President Brenda Wolf of the Board of Education told attendees that the board values a "purposeful, active" partnership with the NAACP Parents Council and thanked the council for a letter supporting proposed changes to high-school academic programming.

Why it matters: Council members said persistent disparities in achievement and discipline need targeted district action. The briefing combined short plenary remarks from board members with breakout-room reports on curriculum, boundary studies, restorative approaches and program access, and concluded with the council asking the board to send written answers to outstanding questions by May 18.

Board members and staff described several district efforts. Board member Carla said the district’s regional program model and a recent program study aim to bring opportunities to parts of the county that previously lacked them; she also said the MCPS staff composition has shifted, noting staff reached "over 50%" minority representation this year. Councilmember Laura Stewart (board member) described cross-functional teams that have planted restorative justice coaches in schools and said the budget includes expanded stipends for minority-scholars coaches. Another MCPS speaker said the district has shifted its literacy curriculum and is reviewing math curricula to ensure high‑quality instructional materials.

Breakout reports raised specific concerns and next steps. In an advanced-and-equitable-education breakout, participant Revan said parents asked whether they would know if their children receive enrichment and whether regional program changes will produce measurable results in the fall. A boundary-studies breakout reported the board has started to consider potential elementary-school closures because of enrollment declines and that an RFP for an elementary boundary study is expected this summer; the facilitator urged residents to apply to an advisory committee (application deadline noted as May 1) and to complete a survey on calendar options.

Parents and facilitators pressed for data and accountability. Participants asked how restorative approaches would be implemented consistently; board members said they will add targets to the strategic plan and report the baseline and the targets at a future meeting. One board member cited a baseline: restorative approaches were implemented in about 4.7% of critical incidents (reported as 4.7% of 19,864 incidents), and members said they will work to set and report targets. Parents also raised concerns about long-term substitute coverage; a parent asked whether MCPS has an agreement with Montgomery College to detail staff for long-term coverage, and a board member who works at Montgomery College said no such agreement currently exists.

What was requested and next steps: The NAACP Parent Council asked that unanswered questions be forwarded to board members and that written responses be returned by May 18. Organizers also encouraged public participation in the advisory committee for the boundary study. The meeting closed with mutual thanks and a pledge for follow-up from MCPS.

Quotes (selection): "The relationship between the NAACP parents council and the Board of Education is not just long standing, it is purposeful, active, and deeply rooted in a shared vision of educational equity," said Board Vice President Brenda Wolf. "We are here to your words, all of us."

"For the first time, our staff in Montgomery public schools is majority minority, and that's something that the board has been working relentlessly on year after year," a board member, Carla, said.

"We have asked the board of education for any questions that were not answered yet to please get to us with those answers by May 18," an NAACP Parent Council representative said.

The meeting produced no formal votes on district policy. Board members committed to return with targets and baseline reporting on restorative approaches and to respond in writing to the council’s outstanding questions.