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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That's not the budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That's not the budget.

No, its an explanation of the school that clearly states its a program.

[Anonymous]

Priority needs to be to keep teachers in-person at school. If you want virtual school for your kid, then go private.

[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.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. There isn't a final budget for FY25 yet.

Isn’t the Montgomery County Council voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget back on 5/23?

I m asking what did the BOE submit earlier this year for review and approval? If they anticipated those students to continue to stay in the MCPS system, and accounted them in the proposed budget they should keep the program. 800 students for $5M budget seems to be justified. Otherwise maybe they’ve been planning to exclude those students…

MVA was in the proposed budget, but the budget, as expected, wasn't fully funded. They're going to be cutting a variety of things from what was proposed, including MVA.

I don’t get it then. It’s a bit confusing -
Expense for those students stay, so are the MVA teachers (remain w MCPS), and the costs of textbooks and materials…how is this a save overall? Plus they will be moving those eligible to a super costly 1-1 IIS program. Based on the chronic absenteeism % someone shared earlier…that’s about 20+% might need the service? Take the lower estimate of 160 students that will definitely end up costing much more than $5k a year how would this help the upcoming FY? The math here isnt making a whole lot of sense.

$5k per student for 180 school days. It’s less than $30 a student per school day, <$5 an hr, is this considered excessive for these kids? I don’t know for sure given this is in one of the wealthiest counties.

And at the same time, BOE is proposing virtual learning as their emergency plan to the state. Everything sounds contradicting? How would they do it without a smaller scale program to ensure the feasibility and address any potential issues? 🤔

There's no contradiction- just different assumptions. MCPS is expecting to absorb the students into their existing schools and programs without making significant changes to staffing in those schools and programs.

For MVA students without special needs, it is pretty clear that is possible. When you spread the MVA students out to home schools, you don't end up with numbers anywhere that would require additional teachers.

For MVA students with special needs, the assumption seems to be that there would be a (near) net-zero change to program staff and paraeducators by reallocating placements and resources among students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Priority needs to be to keep teachers in-person at school. If you want virtual school for your kid, then go private.

You are fooled by MCPS if you think they will have money to keep the teachers after shutting down programs.

Here is what MCEA has shared earlier -

“ payments for contractual services have ballooned by 42% to $100 million in the proposed FY25 budget. These services should be reduced significantly before any cuts to the classroom can be seriously considered. Examples include:

1. $4.5 million in building rental fees (including new executive offices)
2. $1,031,000 in consultant fees (not comprehensive)
3. $850,000 in recycling fees paid to Montgomery County (why doesn't the county just take care of recycling?)
4. $809,717 in outside attorney fees (MCPS has a substantial in-house legal
team.)
5. $525,000 for "random requests that come up and funding is needed"
6. Plus, an additional $13 million in unspecified contractual sevices that MCPS still has not explained”

They didn’t review any of the above but as you may already know teachers will get involuntarily transferred - decisions will be made as of today and process done by end of the week.

It’s obviously BOE/MCPS management problem!!

Plus, please review the actual budget breakdown. Under Other Contractual Services, there are other instructional costs, all miscellaneous but requesting an almost double, 100% increase of 10M totaling over 21M. Is this more questionable than going after this group?

Entrepreneurial ACTIVITIES funds also got similar increase from 6M previous year to totaling over 11M this upcoming year. Is it mandatory and should the “activities” fund taking priority over education for our kids and over the already short staff teachers?

How would putting those MVA kids to private help the disaster happening right now? All families with kids in MCPS are suffering! So are the teachers!!

[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.

What are you asking? Of course the goal is free public education. You want to homeschool your child, have at it. MCPS needs to focus on the kids who are IN school AT school. Not the privileged few who have a parent or guardian at home with them while they’re on MVA.

As a taxpayer, I’m appalled at cuts in teachers, pre K expansion, college counseling for first gen students, and musical repair for poor kids. If we were flush with funds then sure, fund the MVA. But if cuts have to be made, the MVA is not a priority.

[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.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. There isn't a final budget for FY25 yet.

Isn’t the Montgomery County Council voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget back on 5/23?

I m asking what did the BOE submit earlier this year for review and approval? If they anticipated those students to continue to stay in the MCPS system, and accounted them in the proposed budget they should keep the program. 800 students for $5M budget seems to be justified. Otherwise maybe they’ve been planning to exclude those students…

MVA was in the proposed budget, but the budget, as expected, wasn't fully funded. They're going to be cutting a variety of things from what was proposed, including MVA.

I don’t get it then. It’s a bit confusing -
Expense for those students stay, so are the MVA teachers (remain w MCPS), and the costs of textbooks and materials…how is this a save overall? Plus they will be moving those eligible to a super costly 1-1 IIS program. Based on the chronic absenteeism % someone shared earlier…that’s about 20+% might need the service? Take the lower estimate of 160 students that will definitely end up costing much more than $5k a year how would this help the upcoming FY? The math here isnt making a whole lot of sense.

$5k per student for 180 school days. It’s less than $30 a student per school day, <$5 an hr, is this considered excessive for these kids? I don’t know for sure given this is in one of the wealthiest counties.

And at the same time, BOE is proposing virtual learning as their emergency plan to the state. Everything sounds contradicting? How would they do it without a smaller scale program to ensure the feasibility and address any potential issues? 🤔

There's no contradiction- just different assumptions. MCPS is expecting to absorb the students into their existing schools and programs without making significant changes to staffing in those schools and programs.

For MVA students without special needs, it is pretty clear that is possible. When you spread the MVA students out to home schools, you don't end up with numbers anywhere that would require additional teachers.

For MVA students with special needs, the assumption seems to be that there would be a (near) net-zero change to program staff and paraeducators by reallocating placements and resources among students.

That’s the best case scenarios to make believe. Do you still trust BOE/MCPS in budget planning when they did not put education first - not making our kids and teachers the top priority?

[Anonymous]

Entrepreneurial ACTIVITIES funds also got similar increase from 6M previous year to totaling over 11M this upcoming year. Is it mandatory and should the “activities” fund taking priority over education for our kids and over the already short staff teachers?

Look up what "entrepreneurial activities" includes and report back. You lose credibility every time you run your mouth about things you haven't bothered to understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. There isn't a final budget for FY25 yet.

Isn’t the Montgomery County Council voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget back on 5/23?

I m asking what did the BOE submit earlier this year for review and approval? If they anticipated those students to continue to stay in the MCPS system, and accounted them in the proposed budget they should keep the program. 800 students for $5M budget seems to be justified. Otherwise maybe they’ve been planning to exclude those students…

MVA was in the proposed budget, but the budget, as expected, wasn't fully funded. They're going to be cutting a variety of things from what was proposed, including MVA.

I don’t get it then. It’s a bit confusing -
Expense for those students stay, so are the MVA teachers (remain w MCPS), and the costs of textbooks and materials…how is this a save overall? Plus they will be moving those eligible to a super costly 1-1 IIS program. Based on the chronic absenteeism % someone shared earlier…that’s about 20+% might need the service? Take the lower estimate of 160 students that will definitely end up costing much more than $5k a year how would this help the upcoming FY? The math here isnt making a whole lot of sense.

$5k per student for 180 school days. It’s less than $30 a student per school day, <$5 an hr, is this considered excessive for these kids? I don’t know for sure given this is in one of the wealthiest counties.

And at the same time, BOE is proposing virtual learning as their emergency plan to the state. Everything sounds contradicting? How would they do it without a smaller scale program to ensure the feasibility and address any potential issues? 🤔

There's no contradiction- just different assumptions. MCPS is expecting to absorb the students into their existing schools and programs without making significant changes to staffing in those schools and programs.

For MVA students without special needs, it is pretty clear that is possible. When you spread the MVA students out to home schools, you don't end up with numbers anywhere that would require additional teachers.

For MVA students with special needs, the assumption seems to be that there would be a (near) net-zero change to program staff and paraeducators by reallocating placements and resources among students.

That’s the best case scenarios to make believe. Do you still trust BOE/MCPS in budget planning when they did not put education first - not making our kids and teachers the top priority?

Honestly, it really isn't, since that is effectively how special education programs work every year. Apparently you haven't had to experience that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What are you asking? Of course the goal is free public education. You want to homeschool your child, have at it. MCPS needs to focus on the kids who are IN school AT school. Not the privileged few who have a parent or guardian at home with them while they’re on MVA.

As a taxpayer, I’m appalled at cuts in teachers, pre K expansion, college counseling for first gen students, and musical repair for poor kids. If we were flush with funds then sure, fund the MVA. But if cuts have to be made, the MVA is not a priority.

Exactly.

A lot of the complaints from the MVA crowd are about past spending. And sometimes they have a point. But we need to cut future spending, and cutting MVA is one of the best ways to do that without affecting a large number of students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That's not the budget.

No, its an explanation of the school that clearly states its a program.

The budget, the document passed by the BOE, lists MVA as a school.

S c h o o l

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

That's not the budget.

No, its an explanation of the school that clearly states its a program.

The budget, the document passed by the BOE, lists MVA as a school.

S c h o o l

No, it actually covers it separately from the schools.

And the BoE hasn't passed a final budget yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Entrepreneurial ACTIVITIES funds also got similar increase from 6M previous year to totaling over 11M this upcoming year. Is it mandatory and should the “activities” fund taking priority over education for our kids and over the already short staff teachers?

Look up what "entrepreneurial activities" includes and report back. You lose credibility every time you run your mouth about things you haven't bothered to understand.

Out of handful of the items listed, you chose the one to defend BOE. Your intention is obvious you are against the 3 letters different from the vast majority “BOE”. Totally understand.

BUT stop making assumptions of what you think people think or what others know. You are so blindfolded.

I m not saying anywhere to eliminate that as whole. Most contractual services costs remain the same and keep it at the same level would be reasonable. However, ~100% budget increase and await for the money to come back during this time?

In other words, I would not chip in $1000 into investment/lottery or gambling hoping for the best while my families are suffering. The county is short of money!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Priority needs to be to keep teachers in-person at school. If you want virtual school for your kid, then go private.

Wrong on many levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What are you asking? Of course the goal is free public education. You want to homeschool your child, have at it. MCPS needs to focus on the kids who are IN school AT school. Not the privileged few who have a parent or guardian at home with them while they’re on MVA.

As a taxpayer, I’m appalled at cuts in teachers, pre K expansion, college counseling for first gen students, and musical repair for poor kids. If we were flush with funds then sure, fund the MVA. But if cuts have to be made, the MVA is not a priority.

Take your rant elsewhere. This is not homeschooling. As a taxpayer virtual is cheaper and lots of ways to use it. Get in the modern world.