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Montgomery County Public Schools

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Community Helps Scrub Anti-Semitic Graffiti From Maryland Elementary School Sign Community Helps Scrub Anti-Semitic Graffiti From Maryland Elementary School Sign
Community Helps Scrub Anti-Semitic Graffiti From Maryland Elementary School Sign A Maryland community came together to help clean up hateful graffiti that was found spray painted outside a Montgomery County elementary school. Anti-semitic imagery was found on a sign at the Bethesda Elementary School on Arlington Road, though crews and neighbors were quick to clear the paint on Sunday morning. Many thanks to @2dCommander, @mcpnews, @BethesdaUP, Dr. Taylor & Marcus Jones at @MCPS, and @CentralFarmMKTs Bethesda team as well as local residents for the response & efforts today to clean up deeply offensive graffiti today.“Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can d…

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by Zak Failla
News
Teen Penned 129-Page Manifesto Planning To Carry Out Maryland School Shooting: Police Teen Penned 129-Page Manifesto Planning To Carry Out Maryland School Shooting: Police
Andrea Ye Alex Ye Arrested For Planning School Shooting An 18-year-old high school student who reportedly had plans to commit a school shooting in Montgomery County has been arrested, according to police. Rockville resident Andrea Ye, whose preferred name is Alex Ye, was arrested on Wednesday, April 17 following an extensive investigation after the FBI notified Montgomery County Public Schools about a 129-page "manifesto" authored by the teen. Police say that in the document, Ye wrote about committing a school shooting and strategized about how to best carry out the act. The student also contemplated targeting an elementary school, stating that …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Student Arrested For Bringing Loaded Handgun To Maryland High School: Police Student Arrested For Bringing Loaded Handgun To Maryland High School: Police
Student Arrested For Bringing Loaded Handgun To Maryland High School: Police A Maryland student was arrested for bringing a loaded handgun to his high school on Tuesday, March 12, police said. Josue Rivas, 18, of Gaithersburg, was charged with underage possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded handgun, and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property after bringing the weapon to Gaithersburg High School, according to Community Engagement Officers from the Gaithersburg Police Department. The officers responded to the school on the 100 block of Education Boulevard around 10:45 a.m. and met with members of the Montgomery County Public Schools security team…

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by Valerie Musson
News
Former Teacher Admits To Child Sex Abuse After Original Conviction Overturned In Maryland Former Teacher Admits To Child Sex Abuse After Original Conviction Overturned In Maryland
Former Teacher Admits To Child Sex Abuse After Original Conviction Overturned In Maryland A former elementary school teacher in Maryland with a checkered past admitted to his crimes for sexually abusing children after the initial conviction was overturned, according to the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. Silver Spring resident John Vigna, 57, a former Montgomery County Public Schools teacher, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor for crimes he committed against multiple students at Cloverly Elementary School between 2001 and February 2016. Vigna had his conviction overturned last summer and he was released on bond while he awaited a new trial,…

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by Zak Failla
News
Former Maryland HS Track Coach Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Teen Athlete Former Maryland HS Track Coach Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Teen Athlete
Former Maryland HS Track Coach Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Teen Athlete A former high school track coach in Maryland has been sentenced for the sexual abuse of a teen athlete, authorities said on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Giovanni Reumante, 34, of Takoma Park, was sentenced to five years with all but one year suspended and three years of supervised probation upon release, the the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office announced. He has waived two years of credit for time served as part of his plea agreement and will be registered a sex offender for life upon his release. Reumante started working as a track and field coach at Northwood High School in 2013. He ha…

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by Daily Voice
Schools
Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight Agrees To Step Away Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight Agrees To Step Away
Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight Agrees To Step Away Embattled Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight has reached a mutual agreement with the Board of Education to part ways with the district, effective immediately. An announcement was made on Tuesday, Feb. 2 advising the community that McKnight would no longer be at the head of schools, with COO Brian Hull stepping in as the acting superintendent. "The Board is grateful to Dr. McKnight for her many years of service to MCPS and public education," officials wrote in a statement. "We wish her well in her next chapter (and) the Board will work together with staff to ensure a sm…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Officials React After OIG Releases Report Regarding Misconduct In Montgomery County Schools Officials React After OIG Releases Report Regarding Misconduct In Montgomery County Schools
Officials React After OIG Releases Report Regarding Misconduct In Montgomery County Schools Officials have reacted to the Office of the Inspector General’s report on the misconduct in Montgomery County Schools. The 20-page report was released by the Montgomery County OIG on Tuesday, Jan. 23 and was prompted by assertations regarding “inadequate response to the alleged misconduct” by former principal Dr. Joel Beidleman. The review found “numerous issues with the manner in which MCPS and DCI handle and investigate complaints of employee misconduct,” as well as “many of the same deficiencies” that were “previously identified by other entities and reported to MCPS.” Councilmember Kat…

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by Valerie Musson
Schools
'See Something, Say Something:' Principal Lauds Teen After Student Busted With Gun In Maryland 'See Something, Say Something:' Principal Lauds Teen After Student Busted With Gun In Maryland
'See Something, Say Something:' Principal Lauds Teen After Student Busted With Gun In Maryland New details have been released after a teenager was busted with a weapon inside a Maryland high school on Monday afternoon. Police say that at around 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, 17-year-old Bethesda resident Akram Nassir was arrested following an investigation into reports of a gun that was inside Walter Johnson High School in Montgomery County. The tipster advised security on Monday that the student had a weapon on school grounds, and a subsequent search led to the recovery of a 9mm handgun by Montgomery County Public Schools security. Following the incident, Walter Johnson High School…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Teen To Be Tried As Adult After Bringing Weapon To Maryland High School: Police Teen To Be Tried As Adult After Bringing Weapon To Maryland High School: Police
Teen To Be Tried As Adult After Bringing Weapon To Maryland High School: Police A student at a Maryland high school saw something and said something, leading to the arrest of a teen in Montgomery County on Monday. Police say that at around 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, 17-year-old Bethesda resident Akram Nassir was arrested following an investigation into reports of a gun that was inside Walter Johnson High School. The tipster advised security on Monday that the student had a weapon on school grounds, and a subsequent search led to the recovery of a 9mm handgun by Montgomery County Public Schools security. According to the department, on Monday, engagement officers w…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Five Teens Charged For Friday Night Fight After HS Football Game Outside Maryland Metro Station Five Teens Charged For Friday Night Fight After HS Football Game Outside Maryland Metro Station
Five Teens Charged For Friday Night Fight After HS Football Game Outside Maryland Metro Station Fallout from last Friday's fight in Montgomery County following a high school football game continues. Five teenagers are facing charges after the brutal brawl outside a Bethesda Metro station after the Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Walter Johnson game on on Friday, Sept. 1. A week later, officials from the Montgomery County Department of Police announced that 16-year-old Kharon Crosby, of Bethesda, will be charged as an adult for armed robbery and second-degree assault. Additionally, two other teens, 15 and 16, will be charged as juveniles with robbery and assault offenses. Two 15-year-olds w…

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by Zak Failla
Traffic
Again? Second School Bus Involved In Crash That Left Three Hospitalized In Maryland Again? Second School Bus Involved In Crash That Left Three Hospitalized In Maryland
Again? Second School Bus Involved In Crash That Left Three Hospitalized In Maryland For the second time on Thursday, a school bus was involved in a crash in Montgomery County. A loaded school bus with 30 students on board was t-boned by a car at around 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7 near the intersection of Miller Fall Road and Muncaster Mill Road in Gaithersburg. Three people - the school bus driver and two from the crashing sedan - were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, a Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said. The scene of the crash in Montgomery CountyTwitter/@mcfrsPIO All 30 students on the bus were evaluated and were u…

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by Zak Failla
News
Former School DOT Employees In MD Sentenced For $320K Theft Scheme: State's Attorney Former School DOT Employees In MD Sentenced For $320K Theft Scheme: State's Attorney
Former School DOT Employees In MD Sentenced For $320K Theft Scheme: State's Attorney The former Assistant Director of the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Transportation (DOT) will spend years behind bars for his role in a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars. Charles Ewald, 37, of Knoxville, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with all but five suspended, after admitting to the scam earlier this year, authorities announced. The scam began in 2009 when Todd Watkins, 56, of Jefferson - who also pleaded guilty to the scheme - began conspiring with Ewald  Prosecutors say that Watkins assumed his position in 2009, and beginning in 2016 and throu…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
U.S. News Ranks Maryland's Top Public High Schools: Here's How It Compares To Niche's List U.S. News Ranks Maryland's Top Public High Schools: Here's How It Compares To Niche's List
U.S. News Ranks Maryland's Top Public High Schools: Here's How It Compares To Niche's List Days after Daily Voice reported on Niche's list of Best High Schools in Maryland, U.S. News & World Report has released its own. U.S. News studies data from nearly 25,000 public high schools across the country, with a focus on how well students are prepared for college and performance on state assessments, the website says. Here are the top five best public high schools in Maryland, according to U.S. News & World Report: No. 1 - Poolesville High School, Montgomery County No. 2 - Eastern Technical High School, Baltimore No. 3 - Walt Whitman High School, Bethesda No…

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by Cecilia Levine
Schools
These High Schools Ranked Top 5 In DC-Metro Area, Report Says These High Schools Ranked Top 5 In DC-Metro Area, Report Says
These High Schools Ranked Top 5 In Dc-metro Area, Report Says The grades are in and these DC-Metro area high schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering a number of key areas, the following schools were ranked in the website’s 2023 “Best Public High Schools in the DC-Metro Area” report: No. 1 - Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Fairfax County Public Schools No. 2 - Poolesville High School, Montgomery County Public Schools No. 3 - Walt Whitman High School, Montgomery County Public Schools No. 4 - McLean High School, Fairfax County No. 5 - Winst…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Former School DOT Employees In MD Admit To Role In $320K Theft Scheme: State's Attorney Former School DOT Employees In MD Admit To Role In $320K Theft Scheme: State's Attorney
Former School DOT Employees In MD Admit To Role In $320K Theft Scheme: State's Attorney The former Director of the Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Transportation (DOT) has copped to his role in a scheme that allowed another top official to steam hundreds of thousands of dollars. Todd Michael Watkins, 56, of Jefferson, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of misconduct in office for conspiring with Charles Ewald, the former Assistant Director of the DOT, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney announced on Friday, June 30. Prosecutors say that Watkins assumed his position in 2009, and beginning in 2016 and through September 2021, he failed to properly manage the…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Security Guard At MontCo School On Leave For Showing Teen Porn: Officials Security Guard At MontCo School On Leave For Showing Teen Porn: Officials
Security Guard At MontCo School On Leave For Showing Teen Porn: Officials A man with a checkered criminal past who was working security at a Montgomery County middle school has been placed on administrative leave after being busted for alleged sex crimes, authorities announced. Varvie Daughtry, 36, who is familiar to police both in Maryland and Washington, DC, has been arrested and accused of showing a teen student pornography while on school grounds earlier this year. It is alleged that while a 13-year-old was being supervised during an in-school suspension, Daughtry was tasked with overseeing him, during which time he showed him inappropriate photos of women, l…

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by Zak Failla
News
School Bus Driver In MD Responsible For Sexually Abusing Special Needs Passengers: Prosecutors School Bus Driver In MD Responsible For Sexually Abusing Special Needs Passengers: Prosecutors
School Bus Driver In MD Responsible For Sexually Abusing Special Needs Passengers: Prosecutors Prosecutors say that a school bus driver in Montgomery County who drove special education students was found criminally responsible for sexually abusing four girls on his route following a lengthy investigation. Gaithersburg resident Etienne Kabongo, 67, was found guilty by a jury on Thursday, Feb. 9 to multiple counts of rape and sexual abuse of a minor after one of his victims came forward and several other victims were identified during the investigation. A driver for Montgomery County Public Schools, officials said that one of Kabongo’s victims came forward following an incident in July…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Former Richard Montgomery HS Student Busted Bringing Handgun On School Grounds, Police Say Former Richard Montgomery HS Student Busted Bringing Handgun On School Grounds, Police Say
Former Richard Montgomery HS Student Busted Bringing Handgun On School Grounds, Police Say Police say that a former Richard Montgomery High School student has been arrested after bringing a handgun on campus. At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, officers from the Rockville City Police Department were advised by school security personnel that a former student was on the property, possibly armed with a weapon. The student was tracked down by officers approximately a block from school grounds, according to investigators, and the 15-year-old was found in possession of a firearm. He was arrested without custody and “will be charged accordingly.” Officials made note that…

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by Zak Failla
News
Swastika Drawing Found On Montgomery County Middle School Desk Swastika Drawing Found On Montgomery County Middle School Desk
Swastika Drawing Found On Montgomery County Middle School Desk Anti-semitic imagery was found etched on a desk inside a Montgomery County middle school, authorities announced. A drawing of a swastika was found on a desk at Silver Creek Middle School on Saul Road in Kensington this week, prompting a response from the district and outrage in the community. I AM FURIOUS! Nazi Swastikas were just found at my daughter's Middle School in Montgomery County, MD. This is happening too often to even count. Enough is enough!@MoCoCouncilMD @EvanMGlass @Andrew_Friedson @Marc_Elrich @LaurieASayles @jwaldstreicher @iamwesmoore @arunamiller pic.twitter.com/5iZwEcy…

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by Zak Failla
News
Two Survive Plane Crash Into Live Maryland Power Lines, Plane Safely Removed Two Survive Plane Crash Into Live Maryland Power Lines, Plane Safely Removed
Two Survive Plane Crash Into Live Maryland Power Lines, Plane Safely Removed A plane that crashed into live power lines, causing two to be rescued and power outages to thousands, has been removed from the Montgomery County structure safely, authorities announce. The plane was removed from the structure completely around 3:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 28 after the crash nearly 12 hours earlier, according to Montgomery County officials.  The plane was stabilized by a crane, and separated into two pieces and was able to be lowered to the ground.  The pilot and his passenger were suspended in the plane for around 7 hours after it crashed into the live lines in Montgomery Vil…

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by Annie DeVoe
News
Magruder High School Bathroom Shooter Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder Magruder High School Bathroom Shooter Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder
Magruder High School Bathroom Shooter Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder A teenager has pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder after shooting a fellow student with a manufactured ghost gun in a Maryland high school bathroom, officials announce. Steven Alston Jr., 18 was 17-years-old when he shot a 15-year-old student on Jan. 21, 2022 inside of a bathroom at Magruder High School, according to the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. Alston Jr. was charged as an adult in the crime. “I want to express gratitude for the collaboration between Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery County Police and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office immedi…

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by Annie DeVoe
News
Maryland High School Football Coaches, Athletic Specialist Fired After Massive Football Brawl Maryland High School Football Coaches, Athletic Specialist Fired After Massive Football Brawl
Maryland High School Football Coaches, Athletic Specialist Fired After Massive Football Brawl Several Northwest High School football coaches as well as Gaithersburg High School's Athletic Specialist have been let go after a massive fight during a football game against the two schools last month, reports Fox 5 DC. The varsity football game on Friday, Sept. 16 was declared a double forfeit after the fight that appeared to have involved both players and coaches from both teams. After the fight, the Gaithersburg's Athletic Specialist filed assault charges against two members of the Northwest High School coaching staff, the outlet continued. Several minors and one 19-year-old were charge…

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by Annie DeVoe
Schools
Maryland Superintendent Tightens Security For Athletic Events, Praises Student Response Maryland Superintendent Tightens Security For Athletic Events, Praises Student Response
Maryland Superintendent Tightens Security For Athletic Events, Praises Student Response Montgomery County School officials are praising the student body community after a successful transition to implementing safer practices and plans during athletic events. The change comes as an effort to promote positive and good-spirited athletic events for both spectators and students throughout the community and to decrease conflict, states Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight.  " Our students called on their peers to uphold good sportsmanship and a respectful environment; staff, parents and volunteers modeled positive behavior and everyone enjoyed a sa…

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by Annie DeVoe
News
These Are The Best School Districts In Maryland, Website Says These Are The Best School Districts In Maryland, Website Says
These Are The Best School Districts In Maryland, Website Says School districts are part of our education system made to help support your children and develop a strong community. The best ones have not only awesome academic results but great teachers, staff, facilities, resources and so much more. These are the top twenty 2023 Best School Districts in Maryland, according to Niche's list that was released Tuesday, Sept. 27(scroll for a link to the complete list): Howard County Public Schools Montgomery County Public Schools Worcester County Public Schools Carroll County Public Schools Calvert County Public Schools  Fredrick County Public Schools …

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Maryland's Best Public, Private High Schools Ranked By Website Maryland's Best Public, Private High Schools Ranked By Website
Maryland's Best Public, Private High Schools Ranked By Website Niche.com has released its annual rankings of the best schools in America. Now in its ninth year, the rankings include updated data for 92,743 public schools, 30,112 private schools, and 11,820 school districts nationwide. Niche’s rankings combine user input — ratings from current students, alumni, and parents — with quantitative data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources and facilities, extracurricular activity opportunities, and more. Click here for more on methodology. Here are the 10 best public high schools in Maryland, according to Ni…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Two Boys Busted After Repeated Vandalism Incidents At Maryland Middle School Two Boys Busted After Repeated Vandalism Incidents At Maryland Middle School
Two Boys Busted After Repeated Vandalism Incidents At Maryland Middle School Two young boys from Bethesda have been arrested after being linked to several vandalism incidents at Pyle Middle School, authorities say. The boys are allegedly connected to at least three vandalism incidents at the middle school that began in June, according to Montgomery County police. Police were initially called to investigate vandalism that was reported around 11:30 p.m., Sunday, June 25 at the school in the 6300 block of Wilson Lane. School security told officers that they witnessed the two boys painting graffiti on the back of the school building before fleeing on bicycles. Police …

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by Annie DeVoe
News
Contract Violation, Shortages, Involuntarily Transfers Montgomery County Public School Teachers Contract Violation, Shortages, Involuntarily Transfers Montgomery County Public School Teachers
Contract Violation, Shortages, Involuntarily Transfers Montgomery County Public School Teachers Staffing shortages for Montgomery County Public Schools have caused several teachers to involuntarily end their summer breaks, which the union says is a violation of their contracts, reports 7News. The contract "clearly states" that teachers will be notified of upcoming involuntary transfers no later than Feb. 28, 2022, and that every effort to notify the member of the transfer before job fairs will be made, continues the outlet. Several school electives and classes are also being reduced or dropped due to the shortages. Resignations and retirements are up 38 percent in the past school year…

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by Annie DeVoe
News
Heartbroken Mom Speaks Out After Missing Son Found Dead In Maryland Heartbroken Mom Speaks Out After Missing Son Found Dead In Maryland
Heartbroken Mom Speaks Out After Missing Son Found Dead In Maryland The mother of a 17-year old boy believed to have been killed apparently had been pleading with him to get help about being bullied, according to WUSA 9 report. Jailyn Jones, a 12th grader at Northwest High School, was found dead on Jan. 24, on the 18900 block of Grotto Lane in Germantown. His death is being investigated as a homicide. Meanwhile, his mother, Alexis McDaniel, said he was the victim of bullying at the school. “I asked for help I did," McDaniel told WUSA 9. "I asked the school board to put an end to the bullying, the zero-tolerance with the bullying." I spoke with the 17-…

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by Joe Gomez
News
Students Plan Walk Out Over COVID-19 In Montgomery County Students Plan Walk Out Over COVID-19 In Montgomery County
Students Plan Walk Out Over Covid-19 In Montgomery County Students attending Montgomery County Public Schools plan to stage a walk out on Jan. 21, over what they claim are unsafe conditions due to the spread of COVID-19. In a digital flyer posted on Instagram and will presumably be handed out at classrooms, students contend that, "school is only spreading COVID and taking teachers and students away from classrooms.  For this reason schools need to go virtual TEMPORARILY." COVID-19 Walk OutInstagram Students of MCPS have also spread their message on Twitter: "At the moment, school is only serving to spread COVID and take teachers and students …

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by Joe Gomez
News
COVID-19: Montgomery County Schools Bump Pay For Substitute Teachers COVID-19: Montgomery County Schools Bump Pay For Substitute Teachers
Covid-19: Montgomery County Schools Bump Pay For Substitute Teachers Substitute teachers will see an increase in pay in Montgomery County, as the school system continues to face staffing shortages due to COVID-19, according to officials.  Long-term substitutes who hold state teaching certificates will get a boosted hourly rate of $30.71, short-term substitutes will get $21.43 an hour, Montgomery Public Schools said. For long-term substitutes without a state certification, they will see an increase to $28.43 an hour, short-term substitutes will receive $19.71 an hour. The bump in pay for substitute teachers is a result of a memorandum of understanding s…

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by Joe Gomez
News
These Schools & Businesses In Maryland Will Be Closed, Delayed Due To Snow These Schools & Businesses In Maryland Will Be Closed, Delayed Due To Snow
These Schools & Businesses In Maryland Will Be Closed, Delayed Due To Snow The snowy weather is causing delays and closures in Maryland. A winter weather advisory is in effect for most of the state until 1 p.m. which means its going to be a messy commute. Here is a list of delays complied by WTOP for Jan.20: Public Schools Frederick County Public Schools:  2 Hour Delay, will re-evaluate conditions in the morning Howard County Public Schools:  All Howard County public elementary and middle schools, including the Digital Education Center, will open 2 hours late. All high schools will be closed for students. High school after school activities …

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by Joe Gomez