Support the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) from Budget Cuts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the money allocated for each student was already being sent to their home school. Therefore, what was needed to educate the students in the MVA separate program was pulled from ESSR funds. I believe that was part of the issue many families were having is because the original goal was to keep the student connected to their homeschool like they are with other programs throughout MCPS but they were consistently denied the opportunity to do so (sports, extra curricular activities, graduation, ect.) So what did they do with the money that was set aside for the students then at their homeschool? Or am I completely off base?

Yes, because it is a program, not a school, the money goes partly to the home school and not the MVA. Its very confusing as it may have changed over time but bottomline is the MVA does not get full pupil money and schools that are not providing for those students do. Some schools are great about allowing participation, others aren't. We had three different schools refuse us all the things listed including graduation. One did call us to pick up the graduation certificate after the fact but that's all we were offered.

Exactly - so if the money was already there, why cut this? Are they saying they need to double the cost for each student enrolled in the MVA even though there is funding all these students? I understand there are extra teachers and staff that need to but is any of that money coming from their home schools? Or was it all ESSR and the home schools did what they wanted with it? I mean there is no overhead since they aren’t using school space (electricity, building service, very little supplies, ect). Just trying to understand; apologies if this has already been explained.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

There are a lot of elective things in person. Should we give up sports, music, dance, theater?

Yes! There’s a BOE meeting coming up where you can provide your testimony publicly to the board. Please make this argument to them - it would surely do a lot of good for the fate of the MVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the money allocated for each student was already being sent to their home school. Therefore, what was needed to educate the students in the MVA separate program was pulled from ESSR funds. I believe that was part of the issue many families were having is because the original goal was to keep the student connected to their homeschool like they are with other programs throughout MCPS but they were consistently denied the opportunity to do so (sports, extra curricular activities, graduation, ect.) So what did they do with the money that was set aside for the students then at their homeschool? Or am I completely off base?

Yes, because it is a program, not a school, the money goes partly to the home school and not the MVA. Its very confusing as it may have changed over time but bottomline is the MVA does not get full pupil money and schools that are not providing for those students do. Some schools are great about allowing participation, others aren't. We had three different schools refuse us all the things listed including graduation. One did call us to pick up the graduation certificate after the fact but that's all we were offered.

Exactly - so if the money was already there, why cut this? Are they saying they need to double the cost for each student enrolled in the MVA even though there is funding all these students? I understand there are extra teachers and staff that need to but is any of that money coming from their home schools? Or was it all ESSR and the home schools did what they wanted with it? I mean there is no overhead since they aren’t using school space (electricity, building service, very little supplies, ect). Just trying to understand; apologies if this has already been explained.

That's what is unclear as there is no transparency. The home schools at one point were getting all the funding. Its unclear how its funded now but the cost of the MVA is obviously much less than for a student in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the money allocated for each student was already being sent to their home school. Therefore, what was needed to educate the students in the MVA separate program was pulled from ESSR funds. I believe that was part of the issue many families were having is because the original goal was to keep the student connected to their homeschool like they are with other programs throughout MCPS but they were consistently denied the opportunity to do so (sports, extra curricular activities, graduation, ect.) So what did they do with the money that was set aside for the students then at their homeschool? Or am I completely off base?

Yes, because it is a program, not a school, the money goes partly to the home school and not the MVA. Its very confusing as it may have changed over time but bottomline is the MVA does not get full pupil money and schools that are not providing for those students do. Some schools are great about allowing participation, others aren't. We had three different schools refuse us all the things listed including graduation. One did call us to pick up the graduation certificate after the fact but that's all we were offered.

MVA is in the budget as a school

[Anonymous]

Nah, I’m more concerned with pre K expansion, CollegeTracks, and, good Lord, enduring kids at economically disadvantaged schools get repair for their instruments.

And don’t @ me for MVA support. Good on you that you want to homeschool. But that is not the goal of public school education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nah, I’m more concerned with pre K expansion, CollegeTracks, and, good Lord, enduring kids at economically disadvantaged schools get repair for their instruments.

And don’t @ me for MVA support. Good on you that you want to homeschool. But that is not the goal of public school education.

Goal? Where is there a goal for free public education? Cite your source. Really. Cite your source for that statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah, I’m more concerned with pre K expansion, CollegeTracks, and, good Lord, enduring kids at economically disadvantaged schools get repair for their instruments.

And don’t @ me for MVA support. Good on you that you want to homeschool. But that is not the goal of public school education.

Goal? Where is there a goal for free public education? Cite your source. Really. Cite your source for that statement.

Chill. It’s his opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nah, I’m more concerned with pre K expansion, CollegeTracks, and, good Lord, enduring kids at economically disadvantaged schools get repair for their instruments.

And don’t @ me for MVA support. Good on you that you want to homeschool. But that is not the goal of public school education.

This is a thread for the MVA. The overall budget one is down the hall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

There are a lot of elective things in person. Should we give up sports, music, dance, theater?

Yes! There’s a BOE meeting coming up where you can provide your testimony publicly to the board. Please make this argument to them - it would surely do a lot of good for the fate of the MVA

The state of Maryland declared PE and music core subjects years ago and you can’t eliminate them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

There are a lot of elective things in person. Should we give up sports, music, dance, theater?

Yes! There’s a BOE meeting coming up where you can provide your testimony publicly to the board. Please make this argument to them - it would surely do a lot of good for the fate of the MVA

The state of Maryland declared PE and music core subjects years ago and you can’t eliminate them.

It would be great to eliminate PE in MS and HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the money allocated for each student was already being sent to their home school. Therefore, what was needed to educate the students in the MVA separate program was pulled from ESSR funds. I believe that was part of the issue many families were having is because the original goal was to keep the student connected to their homeschool like they are with other programs throughout MCPS but they were consistently denied the opportunity to do so (sports, extra curricular activities, graduation, ect.) So what did they do with the money that was set aside for the students then at their homeschool? Or am I completely off base?

Yes, because it is a program, not a school, the money goes partly to the home school and not the MVA. Its very confusing as it may have changed over time but bottomline is the MVA does not get full pupil money and schools that are not providing for those students do. Some schools are great about allowing participation, others aren't. We had three different schools refuse us all the things listed including graduation. One did call us to pick up the graduation certificate after the fact but that's all we were offered.

MVA is in the budget as a school

It's a program, not a school so it is funded differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the money allocated for each student was already being sent to their home school. Therefore, what was needed to educate the students in the MVA separate program was pulled from ESSR funds. I believe that was part of the issue many families were having is because the original goal was to keep the student connected to their homeschool like they are with other programs throughout MCPS but they were consistently denied the opportunity to do so (sports, extra curricular activities, graduation, ect.) So what did they do with the money that was set aside for the students then at their homeschool? Or am I completely off base?

Yes, because it is a program, not a school, the money goes partly to the home school and not the MVA. Its very confusing as it may have changed over time but bottomline is the MVA does not get full pupil money and schools that are not providing for those students do. Some schools are great about allowing participation, others aren't. We had three different schools refuse us all the things listed including graduation. One did call us to pick up the graduation certificate after the fact but that's all we were offered.

MVA is in the budget as a school

It's a program, not a school so it is funded differently.

Listed as a school in budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the money allocated for each student was already being sent to their home school. Therefore, what was needed to educate the students in the MVA separate program was pulled from ESSR funds. I believe that was part of the issue many families were having is because the original goal was to keep the student connected to their homeschool like they are with other programs throughout MCPS but they were consistently denied the opportunity to do so (sports, extra curricular activities, graduation, ect.) So what did they do with the money that was set aside for the students then at their homeschool? Or am I completely off base?

Yes, because it is a program, not a school, the money goes partly to the home school and not the MVA. Its very confusing as it may have changed over time but bottomline is the MVA does not get full pupil money and schools that are not providing for those students do. Some schools are great about allowing participation, others aren't. We had three different schools refuse us all the things listed including graduation. One did call us to pick up the graduation certificate after the fact but that's all we were offered.

MVA is in the budget as a school

It's a program, not a school so it is funded differently.

Listed as a school in budget.

There is a specific accreditation they have to do to make it a school. It's a program. Thats why the principals are called deans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nah, I’m more concerned with pre K expansion, CollegeTracks, and, good Lord, enduring kids at economically disadvantaged schools get repair for their instruments.

And don’t @ me for MVA support. Good on you that you want to homeschool. But that is not the goal of public school education.

MVA does not meet a single criteria for homeschool. Parents do not educate their kids and have no control over the curriculum. Classes are taught by MCPS teachers. Schedule is set by the school. It is not in any way home school. Those kids get EXACTLY the same education as the rest of MCPS students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the money allocated for each student was already being sent to their home school. Therefore, what was needed to educate the students in the MVA separate program was pulled from ESSR funds. I believe that was part of the issue many families were having is because the original goal was to keep the student connected to their homeschool like they are with other programs throughout MCPS but they were consistently denied the opportunity to do so (sports, extra curricular activities, graduation, ect.) So what did they do with the money that was set aside for the students then at their homeschool? Or am I completely off base?

Yes, because it is a program, not a school, the money goes partly to the home school and not the MVA. Its very confusing as it may have changed over time but bottomline is the MVA does not get full pupil money and schools that are not providing for those students do. Some schools are great about allowing participation, others aren't. We had three different schools refuse us all the things listed including graduation. One did call us to pick up the graduation certificate after the fact but that's all we were offered.

MVA is in the budget as a school

It's a program, not a school so it is funded differently.

Listed as a school in budget.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/virtualacademy/about-us/#:~:text=What%20is%20Montgomery%20Virtual%3F,well%2Dbeing%20and%20academic%20achievement.

What is Montgomery Virtual?

The Montgomery Virtual Academy is a comprehensive educational program that provides students an opportunity to engage in meaningful learning experiences that support social-emotional well-being and academic achievement.