Montgomery County Public Schools recommended with conditions that a proposed charter school that would be a college preparatory and vocational school focusing on business, moving it closer to becoming the county’s only charter school.
The Board of Education is expected to vote on The Mentoring Business Learning Institute‘s proposal on July 26. It rejected this institute’s plans when proposed one year ago.
During the BOE’s June 28 meeting, Montgomery County Public Schools Associate Superintendent Nikki Hazel recommended the BOE approve the charter school as long as it is able to prove by July of 2023 that it can afford to pay for school furnishings and repairs to the building at 700 Russell Road in Gaithersburg.
If approved, the charter school would open for the 2024-2025 school year and welcome sixth and seventh graders. Each year after its opening, the school plans to add an additional grade until it becomes a sixth through 12th grade system. Students throughout the county would be eligible to attend.
The target population would be at risk students, according to LaChaundra Graham. According to its website, the charter school will serve all students “including at-risk, English Language Learners, as well as, students with diverse abilities and disabilities.”
While all subjects will be taught, business will be woven into the daily curriculum. The school also plans to offer Chinese, communications, typing and technology, physical education, health, art and music. It will provide school bus transportation to all its students.
School Board Member Judith Docca praised the proposal, noting it had “a fully developed curriculum.” She also liked the location. “Gaithersburg is one of the neediest areas of the county, but it also is the geographic center of the county.”
The Mentoring Business Learning Institute’s first request was rejected by the BOE. Board members expressed concern with MBLI’s finances, noting it was unclear how it would obtain funding beyond what the state and local governments provide per pupil.
“I was primarily concerned about the stability of the financial funding,” Board President Brenda Wolff said at the time.
