Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg Congratulates MCPS, its Graduates, Teachers and Administrators

Congratulations to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for topping the list of graduation rates among the 50 largest school districts in the nation. With a graduation rate of 83.1 percent, significantly higher than the rate for the state of Maryland and for the nation, MCPS tops the Diplomas Count 2010 report, published by Education Week.

I also want to congratulate MCPS students who took the Advanced Placement (AP) and SAT exams this year. Nearly three-quarters of the AP exams taken earned a score of three or higher and SAT scores are expected be the highest in MCPS history.

Finally, congratulations to the class of 2010 for all of its accomplishments! MCPS graduates have secured $232 million in college scholarships; 150 students are National Merit finalist, 46 are National Hispanic Recognition finalists; 12 are National Achievement finalists; 267 are Maryland Distinguished Scholars and 238 are going to Ivy League schools. MCPS students by far are the most prepared students entering college and the workforce.

These impressive outcomes are the result of the hard work put forth by our students, teachers and administrators. Moreover, it is another indicator that validates our commitment to education. Again, congratulations students, teachers and administrators!

Maintenance of Effort Waiver Approved

I’m pleased to report that the Maryland State Board of Education approved Montgomery County’s FY11 Maintenance of Effort waiver request by a 7 to 5 vote yesterday. The State Board also approved the request from Wicomico County, the only other county to request a waiver for FY11.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg Speaks at the Wednesday Morning Group in Bethesda

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee and member of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee, spoke this morning at the Wednesday Morning Group (WMG) in Bethesda. WMG is a weekly meeting of professional women, men and parents who gather in a spirit of mutual support, camaraderie, and intellectual curiosity. The meeting takes place at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. The group was founded nearly 50 years ago to provide a discussion group for mothers. The WMG has been featured on "60 Minutes."

The meeting took place in an intimate chapel within the Church and approximately 40 women attended. Councilmember Trachtenberg focused on her personal history which included her activist roots and rise to elected office. Moreover, she spoke about her life as a wife and mother and her decision to raise her kids in Montgomery County. Councilmember Trachtenberg also discussed the Montgomery County budget and its impact on our community, the Family Justice Center and the soon-to-be released report on reproductive health. Some of the questions focused on Montgomery County Public Schools. Many of the women stayed after the meeting to speak privately with Councilmember Trachtenberg.

Legislative Aide Laurie Edberg attended the meeting as well.

Trachtenberg Office Attends County Executive Budget Forum in Long Branch

The Trachtenberg Office was represented at County Executive Isiah Leggett’s fourth Budget Forum at the Long Branch Community Center in Silver Spring.

At the Budget Forum, the County’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Joe Beach, outlined the challenging budget environment confronting the County for the FY11 fiscal year.

The County Executive discussed the range of revenue and expenditure options that he will consider before he transmits the FY11 Operating Budget to the County Council in mid-March. He reiterated his budget priorities as support for public safety, schools and aid to the most vulnerable.

The Executive also responded to a number of questions from residents regarding support of the MCPS budget, sports academies, the Old Blair Auditorium project, proposed cuts to library services, and a pedestrian bridge to the Silver Spring library.

Our Chief of Staff Alan Bowser attended the Budget Forum on behalf of Councilmember Trachtenberg.