8/14/2019 Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 1:36 PM

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Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 1:36 PMSubject: A Message to Staff from Dr. Weast Concerning Staffing Allocations

Dear Staff:

I continue to be impressed with the exceptional work you do every day on behalf of the children of

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Despite these difficult economic times, you have kept apositive attitude and focused on our core mission of preparing every child for the world beyond ourdoors. And the results continue to be impressive with student achievement increasing at every level.

I have spoken with many of you about the trying economic environment we are in and the budgetdifficulties we are facing. And you have shared with me your anxieties and uncertainties about what thefuture holds. I want to reassure you that our leadership team and I are committed to doing everythingwe can to preserve jobs and avoid layoffs, if possible. The unfortunate reality is that there will bepainful cuts ahead as we work to balance the budget.

As you know, staffing season is just beginning. We have made the decision to make reductions in staffallocations this spring to prepare for what we believe are inevitable cuts. If we do not make thisassumption and allocate positions to schools based on the Board of Educations requested budget andthe County Council makes substantial funding reductions, we could have to eliminate hundreds ofschool-based positions in early June. That would delay the involuntary transfer process to a time whenteachers and other 10-month employees are leaving school for the summer. I dont believe that is fair toour employees and thats why we are reducing the allocations now.

The most significant change in the staffing plan is the increase in class size by one student. This willresult in the elimination of 252 positions 142 in elementary schools and 55 each at the middle andhigh school levels. There are other reductions in the allocations as well, some of which are driven byenrollment fluctuations. Principals will be discussing the allocation changes and the involuntarytransfer process with staff members over the next three weeks. Again, our goal is to be able to placestaff members in vacant positions, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to avoid layoffs at theend of this process. If there is a need for layoffs, they will be implemented in accord with the collectivebargaining agreements.

In addition to school staffing reductions, significant cuts also will be made to central services. Over thelast two years, we have cut $18 million from the central office budget and we expect to make another$6 million in cuts. These will be challenging cuts and will impact the support we provide to schools,but they are necessary to confront the worsening fiscal situation.

I realize that this news is disturbing, but I believe it is important to keep you informed of the budgetsituation. The County Executive will submit his recommended budget to the County Council on March15. The Council is expected to approve a budget by mid-May, which is when we will know what ourfinal budget will be. We will provide further updates to you as the budget process progresses.

Again, thank you for all you do for our children. I know that, despite the additional challenges we willbe facing, our staff will continue to provide the best possible education for every student.

Respectfully,Jerry D. Weast, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schools