Charter School Applications On The Table At Board Of Ed Meeting

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The Board of Education is set to discuss two charter school applications at its meeting Tuesday afternoon, before making a final decision on them in July. Also on the docket is a final action vote on non-discrimination and sexual harassment policies; contract approvals for technology, diesel, and more; and tuition rates for non-resident students.

Watch the meeting on Tuesday and find the agenda here.

The Charter Schools

The Washington-McLaughlin Charter School for Boys, Washington-McLaughlin Charter School for Girls and M.E.C.C.A. Charter School will present at the meeting and field questions from the Board about their strengths and areas of concern, and plans for education. A Montgomery County panel reviewed the applications and has recommended to the Board that they do not approve the Washington-McLaughlin Charter School application, and recommended a conditional approval for the M.E.C.C.A. Charter School if they can meet certain requirements.

The Washington-McLaughlin schools are under the same application and could serve students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Areas of concern included the opening of the school facility — Board of Education documents say that the applicant did not have a clear understanding of how much work would be required on their proposed building, and said they would delay opening if that was required, which concerned the Montgomery County review panel.

The M.E.C.C.A. Charter School proposes to enroll 640 students from grade six to 12. Its plan is to open for grades six and seven during its first year, and then expand upward every year after that. Some of the concerns listed for this school is that although is receive a $1 million grant from the state to open, it still requires $7.9 million in start-up costs and there are no clear revenue streams for continued operation. There was also no transportation proposed for students unless it is included their individual education plan.

The Board will make final decisions at its July 15 meeting.

Policy Adoptions

The Board of Education is expected to vote on amendments to the district's non-discrimination, equity and cultural proficiency policy and sexual harassment policies. The updates to the non-discrimination policy include language to keep up to date with federal language on English learners and a resolution on banning hate symbols and speech.

"This prohibition will not be used, however, to prevent responsible discussion of such language, images or symbols for educational purposes," the policy states.

Another addition calls for an education framework that "uses an equity lens to consider the impact of any program, practice, decision, or action on all student groups with a strategic focus on marginalized student groups."

The sexual harassment policy includes definitions for harassment and steps that the district takes during reporting of an incident or investigation. The changes have been updated following public testimony.

Read the full non-discrimination policy here.

Read the sexual harassment policy here.

Read the sexual harassment of employees policy here.

Consent Items

The Board is set to approve contracts with companies for diesel, telecommunications services, refrigerated and frozen foods and more toward the end of its meeting Tuesday. The proposed cost of out-of-district tuition for the upcoming academic year is $16,449 for elementary students and $16,107 for secondary students. Costs for special education students is determined individually based on the education plan, rather that at a flat rate.

Have a question about Montgomery County Public Schools? Email colleen.martin@patch.com with comments, tips and questions. For more Montgomery County news, follow her on Twitter @_ColleenMMartin.