By Trend News Line 2024-06-15 11:30:00.
**Montgomery County Board of Education Strengthens Oversight of School Leadership Appointments**
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The Montgomery County Board of Education recently implemented a new policy aimed at enhancing its oversight of the appointments of county public schools leaders. This move is part of a broader effort to involve stakeholders more actively in the decision-making process regarding school leadership.
**Background:**
The need for this policy change arose in response to investigations by the county Office of the Inspector General into the mishandling of sexual harassment and bullying complaints against former middle school principal Joel Beidleman. Despite ongoing complaints, Beidleman was appointed as principal of Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville in 2023. The subsequent publication of these allegations by The Washington Post led to widespread controversy and the eventual resignation of former MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight.
**New Policy Details:**
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The revised appointments policy introduced by the board requires that no candidate be considered for a position until the outcome of any investigation is complete. This policy shift aims to establish clear standards and procedures for personnel appointments within the school system. Moreover, the revamped policy also allows for stakeholders, such as teachers, principals, and service employees unions, to be represented on interview panels for both school-based and central office-based positions.
**Public Input and Feedback:**
The draft policy was made available for public comment from March 20 to April 24, during which MCPS staff members, parents, guardians, and community members provided valuable feedback. In response to this input, the policy was further revised to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the appointments process.
**English Language Learners Policy Updates:**
In addition to the appointments policy changes, the board also approved revisions to the policy governing the education of students learning English. The updated policy aims to shift away from viewing these students solely through a deficit-oriented lens and instead focuses on their strengths and capabilities.
**Renaming the Policy:**
The existing policy, previously called Education of English Learners, was renamed to English Language Development Programs and Services. This change reflects a shift in perspective towards a more inclusive and empowering approach to educating emergent multilingual learners.
**Growing Student Population:**
The district has seen a significant increase in the number of emergent multilingual learners, with approximately 18.6% of all students falling into this category. The revisions to the policy aim to better address the needs of this rapidly growing student population and ensure equitable access to educational resources and support.
**Closing Thoughts:**
The Montgomery County Board of Education’s recent policy changes mark a significant step towards strengthening oversight and accountability in the appointments of school leaders, as well as enhancing the educational experience of students learning English. By actively involving stakeholders in the decision-making process and adopting a more inclusive approach to supporting emergent multilingual learners, the board is working towards creating a more transparent and equitable educational environment for all students..
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