Testimony of Craig Brown, BCC Cluster Coordinator

B-cc Cluster Testimony Nov 10 2010-2

Copy of Nov. 10 Testimony

Amanda Waugh Testimony

More on the New Middle School

I will be testifying on behalf of the PTA at the Board of Education meeting tonight. Our primary concerns are the speed of the process pushing us toward a new middle school, our fear that the budgetary impact will result in the delay of our LONG awaited modernization, and the worry that the central office is muddling up

1) Operations (in the concern about meeting the needs of the 6th graders still at the Chases);

2) Capital Improvements (in the desire to build a new school, find a location and support the many needs of the community); and,

3) Articulation (in the discussion about where 6th grade should be located and now the discussion about where our immersion program should be located). Read this article in the Post to be brought up to speed on the 6th grade articulation issue.

This is not a process that should be rushed or we will almost certainly get it wrong. MCPS needs to do right by those kids in 6th grade and take the time to make sure they don't shaft the rest of us in the process.

Testimony will be at Carver Educational Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville at 7 PM. I hope to see you there.

BOE meets at RCF

Last night, the board of education came to Rock Creek Forest to hear presentations from the BCC cluster schools. Many members of the Student Government Association with support from Srta. Garcia gave tours to members of the BOE who came early.

Then, each school had five minutes to present about their programs, achievements and challenges.It was interesting to hear many of the common themes: over-crowding and staff reductions, chief among them.

When I had an opportunity to testify, I shared a power point illustrating our challenges and our successes.

BOE Presentation

Many thanks to Craig Brown, Jack Hauser, and Joy White, our cluster coordinators, who organized the event, the many Rock Creek Forest parents, teachers and staff who came out to support their school and, as always, the building service team.

Gazette recognizes needs of BCC Cluster Schools

It was with great relief that I read today's Gazette. The dire over-crowding conditions at Rock Creek Forest seem to finally be getting the attention they deserve.

Follow the link below to the article which quotes extensively from me, Amanda Waugh and fellow RCF parent, Craig Brown, who is also a BCC Cluster coordinator.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/03032010/chevnew224119_32547.php.

Next Steps? Keeping the pressure on the county and the state to fund our modernization. Stay tuned...