Editor’s note: The author, Sandra Miller, lives in Mt. Gilead and is on the Montgomery County Schools Board of Education.
As the Mount Gilead representative on the Montgomery County Schools Board of Education, I anxiously awaited the presentation on the “Future of Education in Montgomery County” that was held Monday, March 11, at Leah Levin Auditorium. I was very excited that the hard work that has taken place would be publicly unveiled for all to see. The presentation did not disappoint. I would like to thank Dr. Chad Bledsoe, president of Montgomery Community College, and Dr. Dale Ellis, superintendent of Montgomery County Schools, for sharing their vision of Montgomery County as it relates to education. What a vision it is! It is clear that the collaborative efforts of our many governing and administrative bodies have made a difference in establishing this unique, one-of-a-kind educational facility and opportunity for our students. The efforts and dreams of many people will soon become reality. Our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be the beneficiaries of this work for decades to come.
As always, I know the questions will arise on how this impacts the school we have in our own backyard, Mount Gilead Elementary School. As your local Board of Education member, I want to fill you in on a number of exciting things going on in our schools that affect all grade levels from Pre-K to 12th grade. One of our many accomplishments to highlight is that we have developed a plan to make our computer initiative sustainable for the long term. All students in grades K-2 will have access to computer devices at school at a ratio of 1:2. All students in grades 3-12 will have computers at a ratio of 1:1 that can be taken home. This important initiative started with a grant and it was important to the Board of Education that we find a way to sustain it. We are proud to say that we have done that. On top of the actual devices, we also developed a budget that will maintain an additional technician in our technology department and two instructional coaches to help teachers implement technology in all classrooms. Technology is no longer the wave of the future; it is the wave of the NOW. Since this item is now imbedded in the Montgomery County Schools budget, our students will have access to the devices they need to learn and grow forever.
It is also important to note that putting books in the hands of students is important, particularly at the early ages. Montgomery County Schools received a grant that will do just that in very large numbers. The Innovative Approaches to Literacy grant will provide Montgomery County Schools with $2.25 million over the next three years. A grant director, two family engagement specialists and an additional media coordinator to serve our elementary schools have all been hired. All students in grades Pre-K through 6th grade will receive a minimum of five free books per year. Montgomery County Schools is securing a mobile literacy lab and little free libraries will be springing up in all towns to promote literacy among our students. (Editor’s note: There’s a little free library in front of the Paw!) As of now, more than 20,000 books have been purchased and distributed to our students. In addition, all elementary and middle school libraries will get $7,000 per year to replenish their book collections. On top of this, Montgomery County Schools has devoted in excess of $500,000 over the past four years to purchase the Letterland Early Literacy Program and Ready Gen, which is an entire suite of instructional materials targeted at grades K-6. Academic growth does not happen by chance. Montgomery County Schools has made significant investments in high-quality, research-based instructional materials to help all children learn.
As far as facilities go, significant resources have also been spent to maintain our local school. Tracing back to the Qualified School Construction Bonds funding, Dr. Ellis mentioned in his presentation, more than $600,000 has been spent on Mount Gilead facility and system upgrades. This money is in addition to the great work that community volunteers and our local Friends in Focus group have accomplished to keep the campus clean and inviting. In any given year, our Montgomery County Schools maintenance department responds to numerous work orders to keep the campus safe, neat and clean. As buildings get older, the maintenance needs tend to increase. Thankfully, we have all pitched in to make Mount Gilead Elementary an inviting space where all children are welcome.
In closing, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not add that Mount Gilead has exceeded its academic growth targets for three straight years in a row. This stellar record of academic achievement and growth closely coincides to the tenure of Principal Sloan Bourgeois. She is truly a wonderful principal, working alongside excellent teachers, to provide the best possible learning opportunities for all children. Is everything perfect? No. Will there be bumps in the road? Absolutely. Having spent 37 years in education, 17 of those at Mount Gilead Elementary, I know first-hand the difficulties that can arise. However, I have the utmost confidence in what makes Mount Gilead a special place: the people. I would encourage any of you to call Mrs. Bourgeois and find out for yourself. Many great things are happening in Montgomery County Schools and at Mount Gilead Elementary School and it is only getting better!