Public Forums Scheduled For New MCPS Superintendent Search

Jerry Weast Presents 2011 Budget (photo MCPS)

As most know, Montgomery County Public Schools are searching for a new superintendent, to replace Dr. Jerry Weast who is retiring. The MCPS School Board has just announced a schedule of public forums to be led by the search firm, unfolding at the end of January / beginning of February.

All Montgomery County citizens can attend the public forums, which are designed to “gather community comment on the educational priorities and desired leadership qualities” for the next superintendent.

One forum (Feb. 2) is in Rockville, at MCPS HQ. The others are at various locations throughout the County:

Monday, January 31, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.

• Location: Northwest High School, 13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown (map)
• Translation/interpretation available in: Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese

• Location: White Oak Middle School, 12201 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring (map)
• Translation/interpretation available in: Spanish

Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.

• Location: Bethesda Elementary School, 7600 Arlington Road, Bethesda (Accessible from Bethesda Metro Station) (map)
• Translation/interpretation available in: Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese

• Location: Montgomery Village Middle School, 19300 Watkins Mill Road, Montgomery Village (map)
• Translation/interpretation available in: Spanish

Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.

• Location: Wheaton High School, 12601 Dalewood Drive, Silver Spring (map)
• Translation/interpretation available in: Spanish

• Location: Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville (map)
• Translation/interpretation available in: Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese

Edison / Wheaton High Modernization Meeting

Rockville Central reader Theresa Defino passed along this meeting notice that may be of interest to those in Rockville whose children attend Edison / Wheaton high programs.

Public Information meeting
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Wheaton High School Auditorium

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff will make a presentation and answer questions concerning the program and facility approaches that were developed by the Thomas Edison High School of Technology and Wheaton High School Roundtable Advisory Committee (Roundtable).

These schools, which are located on the same site and share one facility, are scheduled for a modernization with a completion date of August 2015. The Roundtable has guided staff in developing a wide range of program and facility approaches that will define the relationship between Thomas Edison High School of Technology and Wheaton High School. Staff will present the approaches developed by the committee that include a one school model, a model that creates two independent programs, and hybrid models.

The primary role of the Roundtable is to advise the superintendent of schools as he prepares to make his recommendation for Board of Education action. The Roundtable will submit a summary report to the superintendent for his review and consideration. The report will include individual Roundtable member analyses of the approaches that were developed during the process. The superintendent’s recommendation will be released on February 8, 2011 with Board of Education action scheduled for March 28, 2011.

All information developed during the process is posted on the MCPS website.

Beall Elementary Capacity Study Meeting Thursday, Jan. 6

As many readers know, one of the local schools that is among the most impacted by crowding is Beall Elementary. The Montgomery County Public School system has agreed to begin a feasibility study to look at adding capacity. The process was supposed to have included four meetings to begin in December, but the first meeting got snowed out.

So, the first meeting of the capacity study is this Thursday, January 6, at 4:00 pm at Beall Elementary. I spoke to the coordinator of the meeting, and he told me that the meeting is best characterized as a “worksession” — staff will present various options for mechanisms to expand the school, and hear feedback and thoughts. He said it would be “hands on.”

(The next meetings after Thursday are January 20 at 7:00 pm and February 10 at 3:30 pm.)

Do You Want A Skating Rink With Real Ice In Town Square?

Town Square Rental Skates

Since late 2008, we’ve had a seasonal fake-ice “skating rink” set up in the courtyard in Town Square each winter. (Here’s editor Cindy Cotte Griffiths review.) I’ve tried it out, and personally don’t find it compelling, though families with younger tots might well enjoy an hour or so of gliding.

There’s a move afoot to consider turning the rink into one with real ice, and a community meeting is coming up this week to learn more about it.

In a letter to local property owners, Town Square developers Federal Realty Investment Trust say they have applied to the City “to allow development of a seasonal ice rink (real ice).” The application number is STP2011-00059. Here’s a pdf of what they are proposing.

They’ve scheduled an “area meeting” at 10am, Saturday, September 25 at the Oro Pomodoro restaurant. (Oro Pomodoro is right on the courtyard in Town Square.)

“At this meeting [we] will make every effort to illustrate how the property will be developed and answer any questions,” says the letter.

Got an opinion on skating in Town Square? Be there on Saturday!

Gajewski To Hold Town Hall Meeting Thurs., Aug 19

Piotr Gajewski at his first town hall

Long time Rockville Central readers know Councilmember Piotr Gajewski has been holding quarterly town hall meetings since February 2008. These town hall meetings are informal affairs where citizens can hear about recent progress and can raise issues that they would like to discuss.

The next Gajewski town hall has been scheduled for Thursday, August 19 at 8:00 pm in the Mayor and Council chambers at City Hall (111 Maryland Ave.).

For more information, call the City Clerk’s Office at 240-314-8280.

Town Center Action Team To Meet April 8 In Mayor And Council Chambers

As >Rockville Central readers may have been following, the pullout of Super Fresh from the Town Square development has generated a number of suggestions for what Federal Realty Investment Trust might want to pursue as a substitute. Many have expressed a desire to talk the issue through rather than just leave comments online.

A great forum in which to have that conversation will be the upcoming meeting of the Town Center Action Team, the group that initially began to set the direction for Town Square many years ago. TCAT will be meeting on April 8 at 7:00 pm at the Mayor and Council chambers in City Hall. I am led to believe that all are welcome and that a representative of FRIT will be there.

If you plan on attending, let TCAT chair Trapper Martin know you will be doing so by dropping him an email at [email protected].

Here’s how Trapper has described the meeting:

This meeting is open to the public and we would welcome some new faces and perspectives. This will be a great way to kick off discussion not only of what we want in this space but begin the discussion of Phase II. At our next meeting I am trying to get a representative of JBG to attend to discuss where they are in the planning process and get some timelines.

Tax Prep Workshop This Sat. Feb. 20

A most excellent >Rockville Central friend, Chas Hausheer, has passed along word of an upcoming workshop that many residents may find quite helpful. Rockville Housing Enterprises will be sponsoring a tax preparation workshop this Saturday. Here are the details from RHE:

We are having a Tax Preparation Workshop this Saturday February 20th, 2010. Please pass this along to anyone that might be interested in hearing information about preparing their taxes this year. For more information please contact Rockville Housing Enterprises.

Rockville Housing Enterprises
621-A Southlawn Lane
Rockville MD 20850

Phone: 301.424.6265 ext 311
Fax: 301.217.5857
Email: [email protected]

Gajewski Townhall Canceled Tonight (Feb. 11); Will Be Rescheduled

We’ve learned that, due to the ongoing snow cleanup and still-dicey roads, >the town hall meeting councilmember Piotr Gajewski was set to hold tonight has been canceled. Here is his message:

Dear Neighbor,

Due to the ongoing snow emergency, the Townhall meeting, originally scheduled for tonight (Thursday), will be rescheduled for a later date.

If you would like to speak to me this evening, please feel free to call me on my cell phone at 202-957-8692.

Meanwhile, I urge you to stay off the streets, if at all possible, in order to facilitate the ongoing snow removal.

Town Hall Meeting On Science City Monday, Feb. 8

While it is out of the “official scope” of >Rockville Central, there are many Rockville implications to the possible “Science City” that is being contemplated in Gaithersburg. (Maryland Politics Watch has had excellent back-and-forth opinion pieces — pro and con - on this issue.)

Rockville Central friend Randy Alton has passed along this note about an upcoming community meeting on the subject:

Weather Permitting….There is a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the “Science City” (Gaithersburg West Master Plan/Belward Farm) on Monday, February 8, 2010, between 7:00 - 9:00 pm, at the Quince Orchard High School, Cafeteria. The key topics will include the Gaithersburg West Master Plan and the North Potomac Recreation Center. The speakers will be the four “At-Large” Montgomery County Council members: Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal, Duchy Trachtenberg, and Mark Elrich.

Randy says the meeting is sponsored by the North Potomac Citizens Association.

Gajewski To Hold Town Meeting Feb. 11

>Rockville Central was among the first local news source to cover then-newly-elected Councilmember Piotr Gajewski’s quarterly town halls, and we are pleased he continues to hold them. We’re on record encouraging all city council members to hold similar informal gatherings where citizens can raise questions and engage in dialogue without the restrictions and structures of a microphone, a dais, and a three-minute limit.

So we are happy to see that, in his second term Councilmember Gajewski is continuing the practice and we are happy to publicize it (as we would for a similar event by any other council member, hint hint).

This from the press release:

Councilmember Piotr Gajewski will lead a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. in the Mayor and Council chambers at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave.

The agenda for the meeting will include a discussion of recent Mayor and Council actions, as well as an open forum for residents to ask questions or share their perspectives on Rockville-related issues and projects. The meeting will not be televised.

“I expect that the meeting will be dominated by a discussion of budgeting priorities, as the Council is about to begin deliberations on the FY11 budget,” Councilmember Piotr Gajewski said, “but I look forward to citizen input on any and all topics.”

The meeting will be held at Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave. For more information, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 240-314-8280.

Rockville Mayor And Council To Meet In Twinbrook

At her inaugural address, Mayor >Phyllis Marcuccio said that she hoped to bring meetings of the Mayor and Council to different parts of the city, in an effort to increase a sense of engagement and participation.

According to the Gazette, on Monday, January 25, the first step of that plan will come to pass, as the group will meet at the Twinbrook Community Center for its regular meeting.

As with all meetings of the Mayor and Council, this meeting is open to the public. It begins at 7:00 pm. The Twinbrook Community Center is at 12920 Twinbrook Parkway.

Town Center Action Team Meeting Tonight (Tuesday 1/19/2010)

If you are a resident of, or concerned with, the Town Center area of Rockville, consider attending tonight’s >Town Center Action Team meeting at 7:00 pm at City Hall.

The group will elect a new president (current president, Mark Pierzchala, is a member of the City Council so is stepping aside) and will also cover several items concerning Town Center.

Here’s the agenda:

1. Town Square update,
2. Town Square parking update, effort by merchants
3. District Courthouse mitigation
4. Judicial center annex
5. Master plan review
6. Phase II
7. Recent meeting between TCAT and Gaithersburg’s OTAC.

(Many apologies to Councilmember Pierzchala — I had intended to post this earlier so it would get in the nightly email in time for people to receive it. The holiday weekend and my general sloth caused me to overlook that. So I am hoping enough of our readers see it this afternoon!)

Public Meeting Thursday To Discuss Senior Center Expansion

Many >Rockville Central readers are avid users of one of Our Fair City’s crown jewels, the Rockville Senior Center. This is a terrific facility that serves all of the community.

There are plans hatching to expand the Senior Center, and the City has sent along an in-depth invitation to all in the community to learn more about that. It’s this Thursday:

Senior Center Fitness Expansion Public Meeting
Thursday, Dec. 10, 6-8 p.m.
Rockville Senior Center
1150 Carnation Drive

• Rockville Senior Center Open House & Art Reception
• Tour the center and meet the staff
• View plans for the Fitness Center expansion
• Neighbors, and current and future members are welcome
• Refreshments will be served

Rockville Senior Center staff will give tours and answer questions about the services offered for residents age 60 and over. This meeting will give you an opportunity to hear plans for the new Fitness Center expansion, including reconfiguring part of the existing space, and adding additional space for the exercise and fitness facilities, rest rooms, changing facilities, offices and storage. There are also plans for the addition of 41 parking spaces that will be located near the building’s rear entrance. View the proposed plans before City review. We welcome and appreciate your input.

Local senior artists will have their work on display in the newly renovated lounge and be available for questions. Consider becoming a Rockville Senior Center member and receive a $5 discount on membership. Enjoy refreshments and a drawing for a holiday basket.

For information about the Open House and Fitness Center addition, call Senior Citizens Program Manager Lexi McKenzie at 240-314-8800 or e-mail [email protected].

Town Center Action Team Meeting Tonight

If you are a resident of, or concerned with, the Town Center area of Rockville, consider attending tonight’s >Town Center Action Team meeting at 7:00 pm at City Hall.

Here’s the agenda:

1. Presenation on the Circuit Court (Judicial Center) expansion plans followed by question and answers. Mr. Omidvar from the County will present.
2. Update on Town Center from the City.
3. Status of District Court House construction and Court House mitigation committee.
4. What is the state of SuperFresh?
5. Elect a new president of TCAT.

Planner: City Meetings This Week (6/1/09)

Here are the City meetings we know about for the next two weeks. All meetings below are at at >City Hall (111 Maryland Ave.) unless noted otherwise. Where there is an agenda available, the link goes to that, otherwise it goes to the main page for that group.

This Week:

• Nothing we know of!!!

Next Week:

• Tue., Jun. 9, 7:30 pm — Commission On The Environment
• Tue., Jun. 9, 7:30 pm, Pump House — East Rockville Civic Association
• Tue., Jun. 9, 7:30 pm — Human Services Advisory Commission
• Wed., Jun. 10, 7:00 pm — Cultural Arts Commission
• Wed., Jun. 10, 7:00 pm — Planning Commission
• Wed., Jun. 19, 7:30 pm — Rockville Sister City, Inc.

We are trying to add to this service so it is not just City-sponsored meetings but also other important civic meetings throughout Rockville. Please send us a note to let us know about your civic meeting. We will post them on the calendar available here. For clubs and events, use the Rockville Living add event form. We can’t publish everything, but we we will do our best to be inclusive.