Transformation of Montgomery Public Schools is just getting started
For my first 100 days as superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools, my mission was to learn everything I could about the district and community. Having talked to students, parents, employees, board members and community members, I have come away feeling optimistic about the future of MPS and Montgomery County.
This is an ongoing dialogue, and I welcome more feedback. Our schools belong to the community, and everyone in the community has a role in taking MPS to the next level. It has been an honor and inspiration to meet passionate people throughout the community, to connect with our existing partners and forge new relationships.
We have seen some successes as we seek to make changes and to set our course for the future, but there is a lot of work left to be done. My job is to ensure all students are able to reach their full potential, and that starts with classroom teaching and learning. Our goal is to revolutionize education in Montgomery, making it work for all kids by fostering a collaborative approach that gives students an active role in their learning. We also must have safe, secure and welcoming schools where all students feel a sense of connectedness and belonging. We recognize that we have additional work to do in this area. We must provide resources and support equitably, ensuring access and opportunity for all students. Aging infrastructure must be updated or replaced. And finally, to accomplish all this, we must work together, acknowledging our differences while not letting them become obstacles to success.
We need to transform teaching and learning, finding new ways to engage students. We need to shift the focus away from basic test preparation and instead find ways to reach students so they gain a deep understanding of course material. If we do that, test scores will take care of themselves.
Student safety is a top priority for any superintendent. We are constantly working with school personnel on following proper safety protocols and reviewing our practices. This is not just a school issue, but also a community issue, and we invite community members to get involved. Guidance provided by parents and mentors are vital components of a comprehensive safety plan.
All students deserve a world-class education regardless of their zip code or financial status. As a public school system, it is our job to deliver exactly that. My goal is for every school to provide courses of study that challenge and inspire students and help them discover their talents. This includes more art and music, more AP and other advanced classes, more dual enrollment, and more career technical education offerings.
We are grateful to the voters of Montgomery County for passing the ad valorem tax increase to provide more local funding to MPS. As you know, we have been underfunded for decades. These funds will come available to us next year, and it will help us accomplish many of our goals, including the capital improvements that are long overdue in the district. The planned new construction and renovations will transform the district and provide improved learning environments for our students. There will be a couple of major transitions, and these will no doubt be uncomfortable in the short term, but they are all for the long-term benefit of our students. We have already made great strides, but I believe the best is yet to come. We have hard work ahead of us, but together, we can continue to raise MPS to unprecedented levels of excellence.
Melvin J. Brown, Ed.D., is the superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools and previously served as superintendent of Reynoldsburg City Schools in Ohio. He has 24 years in school administrative experience.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Transformation of Montgomery Public Schools is just getting started
