Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Superintendent Report topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MCPS superintendent details 90‑day plan emphasizing transparency, pathways and teacher retention
Summary
Superintendent Kelly Gimple outlined findings from eight listening sessions and a 90‑day plan focused on improved communication, equity, career pathways (MCPS4E), staffing and fiscal transparency, including a proposal for an 'Open Checkbook' and citizen oversight committees.
Dr. Kelly Gimple delivered a 90‑day executive summary to the Montgomery County Public Schools board on May 19, saying community listening shaped priorities for communication, equity and staffing.
Gimple said his team conducted eight open listening sessions and nearly 100 interviews with staff and civic leaders. "One theme stands out clearly, the strength of the MCPS community," he said, and added that communication and transparency came up in every session: "100% of the time, people talked about...increased communication." He urged the division to explain not just what decisions are made but why.
The superintendent proposed a multi‑part agenda that includes a new pathways framework (MCPS4E) to give students clearer routes into employment, education or military service; targeted supports for special education; and workforce retention measures. On teacher retention, Gimple said the division has "lost 144 teachers over the last three years...in their first five years of employment," and called for mentoring programs that include retirees as coaches.
On fiscal stewardship, Gimple recommended an "Open Checkbook" public tool to show spending, plus two oversight groups: a public financial‑review committee and an MCPS finance board to provide early transparency on capital projects. "If we had a committee that was providing some oversight...any type of changes would be known already," he said, referencing planning for projects such as a potential Christiansburg High School renovation.
The superintendent also proposed a 4E Expo to expose 5th–8th graders to CTE, advanced programs and mental‑health supports and asked the board to consider providing busing to increase family participation.
Why it matters: The plan targets core governance and communication gaps raised by residents in public comment and listening sessions. Several board members asked for follow‑up data on staffing losses and on the feasibility and cost of proposed transparency tools. The board took no formal action on the proposals at the meeting; Gimple said staff would return with implementation details and supporting materials.
The board moved next to other agenda items and votes, including approval of policies and a motion to establish several board committees.
