AGENDA PRINT SAVE

ACTION
2.2.1
Office of the Superintendent of Schools
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Rockville, Maryland

October 25, 2004

MEMORANDUM

To: Members of the Board of Education

From: Jerry D. Weast, Superintendent of Schools

Subject: Recommended FY 2005 Supplemental Appropriation for the Middle Schools

Magnet Consortium

Recommendation in Brief

Authorization is requested to receive and expend, subject to County Council approval, an

FY 2005 supplemental appropriation of $2,441,487 from the United States Department of
Education, Magnet Schools Assistance Program initiative, for the Middle Schools Magnet
Consortium.

Background Information

The United States Department of Education has awarded the Montgomery County Public
Schools (MCPS) a grant of $2,441,487 for the first year of a three-year grant totaling
$7,273,143, to support the development and implementation of the Middle Schools Magnet
Consortium. This grant will provide funds to develop whole-school magnet programs at Argyle,
Belt, and Parkland middle schools. Beginning with Grade 6 during the 2005–2006 school year,
schools will develop and implement theme-based magnet programs. The programs will be
phased in, one grade level at a time, over a three-year period. Using the Preferred Choice
student assignment process, all Grade 5 students will have the opportunity to request
participation in the magnet programs. Transportation will be provided for students who reside
within the Consortium and for those students who reside in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Walter
Johnson, and Rockville high school clusters. Students from other areas of the county who
participate in the choice process and are assigned to a Consortium school will be required to
provide their own transportation.

Support of Board of Education Policy

The Magnet Middle Schools Consortium enhances the existing commitment of the Board of
Education and County Council to Downcounty Consortium schools by expanding the school
 Members of the Board of Education2October 25, 2004

improvement activities outlined in Our Call to Action: Pursuit of Excellence. The creation of
magnet programs at Argyle, Belt, and Parkland middle schools is intended to improve the
academic performance of students; connect learning among academic disciplines; and provide
connections to high school, higher education, and the workforce.

Relationship to Ongoing Program

The Middle Schools Magnet Consortium program builds on school improvement efforts already
under way in prekindergarten through Grade 12 in schools most impacted by poverty and
language differences. Beginning in 1999 with the initiatives of Our Call to Action, there has
been a focus on early childhood education with full-day kindergarten, reduced class size, and a
new kindergarten curriculum. These reform activities have expanded in the elementary grades to
the activities in the Downcounty Consortium high schools. The funds from the Magnet Schools
Assistance Grant will facilitate reform efforts at the middle school level.

The funds from this three-year grant will provide for the development of a national model of
middle school reform. Beginning this school year, staff will begin work on new curricula and
instructional programs designed to challenge all students and increase rigor at the middle school
level. Professional development programs will enhance instruction to ensure that the academic
needs of all students are met at the highest levels. Program themes will be infused into engaging
and exciting instructional programs. In January 2005, Grade 5 students will have the
opportunity to select from the three Consortium middle schools. The magnet programs will be
fully established in all three schools in the 2007–2008 school year.

Funds will be used to establish a 1.0 program coordinator position and 3.0 local-school magnet
coordinator positions. Supporting services positions and evaluation and technical assistance also
are funded through the grant. A significant portion of the funding will support professional
development, curriculum writing, student assessments, as well as extended-day and extended-
year activities related to the new magnet programs. Funds also will provide for supplies and
materials, enhanced technology at each school, and related employee benefits.

Evaluation

Funds for program evaluation are included in the grant. Indicators of success include a wide
range of measures, including the development of challenging academic programs, promotion of
student diversity in and among programs, development of new courses related to the magnet
themes, and implementation of professional development to support the new curricula and
programs.

Recommended Resolution

Resolved, That the superintendent of schools be authorized to receive and expend, subject to
County Council approval, an FY 2005 supplemental appropriation of $2,441,487 from the
 Members of the Board of Education3October 25, 2004

United States Department of Education, Magnet Schools Assistance Program initiative, for the
Middle Schools Magnet Consortium.

CategoryPositions Amount

1 Administration $ 42,966
2 Mid-level Administration 5.2 690,383
3 Instructional Salaries 3.0 640,129
4 Textbooks and Instructional Materials 84,343
5 Other Instructional Costs 777,160
12 Fixed Charges 206,506

Total 8.2* $ 2,441,487

Positions

* 1.0 Program Coordinator

* 3.0 School Coordinator (B-D)
* 0.5 Evaluation Specialist (B-D)
* 0.5 Technical Analyst (25)
* 3.0 User Support Technician II (17)
* 0.2 Secretary (14)

and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the county executive and County Council; and
be it further

Resolved, That the county executive be requested to recommend approval of this resolution to
the County Council.

JDW:LAB:MCS:jp

Attachment
Board Meeting: October 25, 2004 Prepared by the Department of
Management, Budget, and Planning

Initial: B. C. Date: 10/25/04

Recommended FY 2004 Supplemental Appropriation for the Middle Schools Magnet Consortium

Current Fiscal Year Future Fiscal Years (if appropriate)

Description Amount Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Expense:
Positions/Salaries $ 438,485 $ 496,073 $ 511,234
Other Salary 553,327 753,370 726,958
Contractual Services 330,366 309,915 307,893
Supplies/Materials 84,343 166,340 114,340
Other Expenses 257,806 308,840 310,699
Furniture/Equipment 777,160 606,777 219,217

Total Expense $ 2,441,487 $ 2,641,315 $ 2,190,341

Revenue Source:
Local
State
Federal $ 2,441,487 $ 2,641,315 $ 2,190,341
Federal via State
Other

Total Revenue $ 2,441,487 $ 2,641,315 $ 2,190,341

Fiscal Notes: Funds will be used for 1.0 program coordinator, 3.0 school coordinators, 3.0 user support technicians, 0.5 evaluation specialist, 0.5
technical analyst, 0.2 secretary, part-time salaries, furniture and equipment, instructional materials, contractual services, travel, and
employee benefits.