The search for a new school superintendent, the need for an assessment of school facilities and the county’s role in school financing will be among the topics for a joint meeting Monday of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and the school board.
The boards will convene for dinner at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting set to start at 7 p.m. It will take place in the second-floor multipurpose room at the county government center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.
Topping the agenda is an update on the search for a new schools chief. Former superintendent Bernard Braden Jr. resigned effective Aug. 30. In a July 11 letter, he informed the school board of his plans to resign. Being nearly 500 miles from his family “has been more difficult than I anticipated, and after much reflection, I have made the personal decision to step away to be closer to my loved ones,” he wrote.
On Sept. 4, the school board received presentations from three firms seeking a contract to conduct the search: BWP & Associates LTD, Berkley Group, and McPherson & Jacobson. BWP was chosen, according to a Sept. 10 press release.
On Sept. 2, the board named Lois Graham, an instructor at the Center for Organizational and Technical Advancement, as acting superintendent. She has previously served in positions including deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and director of elementary education.
Other notable items on the agenda include:
A discussion of the annual budget process involving the county and the school system
In the current fiscal year, the school system has an operating budget of about $153.6 million, with about $65.2 million coming from the county. Also, the county allocated about $3.1 million for school capital projects.
An overview presentation on the school system
A presentation document notes that the school division serves nearly 9,400 students at 11 elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools and an alternative education program.
The document also includes brief descriptions of the work done by the department of curriculum and instruction, the special education department (which serves about 1,400 students), the human resources department (which supports nearly 2,800 employees), the compliance office that coordinates federal Title IX and Title VI activity, the communications and public relations office, the student services department, the student support and intervention department, the equity and diversity office, the technology department, the transportation department, the nutrition program and more.
Information on an upcoming school facility study
According to meeting documents, the school division will work with ZMM Architects and Engineers at a proposed cost of $87,000. The firm will conduct a “comprehensive analysis of all MCPS schools’ physical conditions, educational functionality, and safety compliance which will inform capital planning and budgeting,” it states. The work will take about three months.
The division’s most recent facility assessment is 13 years old, according to meeting documents.
You can find meeting documents here.
