Fighting for our Students
Advocacy is an important responsibility of the Board. Board members are often the voice in the community for public education. They work together with other public agencies to advocate for resources and support for all Montgomery County Public School students. Advocacy includes speaking for our students on issues of equity, fairness, and justice. This can take the form of a letter, testimony, and/or editorials. This page provides some of the many correspondence Board members have authored or contributed to as part of their advocacy work.
- More cameras on busses!- State Highway Administration
- Fair Funding in Education- Letter to Kirwan Commission
- Poolesville Community Concerns
Letters
Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship
Dear Mr. President and Madam Speaker
High-quality educational experiences depend on caring and effective teachers and every student deserves a high-quality educational experience. As you consider the State Budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021, we urge you to consider the need to expand incentives for highly skilled and diverse candidates to teach in high-need schools. In particular, we are asking for you to support funding for the Maryland Teaching Fellows scholarship program, which was created in 2014 but never funded. The scholarships are awarded to students who pledge to work as public school K-12 or public prekindergarten teachers in Maryland schools where at least 50 percent of the students are eligible for Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS) services.
Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence
Mr. Uriburu and Mr. Johns:
Thank you for inviting the Montgomery County Board of Education (Board) to the Black and Brown Forum for Educational Equity and Excellence on October 15, 2019. Your unwavering commitment to an equitable school system was clear throughout the presentation. The Board has long articulated its commitment to creating a school system that advances equity and excellence for all students and welcomes the efforts of the Black and Brown Coalition (Coalition) to prioritize this conversation in our county.
School Bus Safety Camera Program
Dear Mr. Slater
In 2014, the Montgomery County Council (Council) passed legislation to implement a school bus safety camera program, as authorized under State law. Given the potential dire consequences of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses, the Council and the Montgomery County Board of Edcuation (Board) believe that this program is of the utmost importance in keeping the County's children safe.
Maryland Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (Commission)
Dear Dr. Kirwin
On behalf of the Montgomery County Board of Education, we would like to offer comments about the current tentative recommendations that have been shared by the Maryland Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (Commission) as of the Friday, September 21, 2018, meeting. Overall, we strongly support investments in early education, moving the high school college and career readiness indicator to Grade 10, and a robust set of pathway options for students.
Update on Engagement with the Poolesville Community
Dear Mr. Elrich and Ms. Navarro
We are writing to share an update on our work with the Poolesville community to engage with them around their interests regarding Poolesville High School. The Poolesville community has both advocated for the need to address facility needs at Poolesville High School and expressed interest in combining multiple services and civic elements, including the high school, together in the Town of Poolesville.