On May 1, 2026, from 9:37 to 11:08 a.m., the Montgomery County Council's Education and Culture Committee held its fourth and final session on the FY27 Operating Budget and FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The Committee reviewed technology modernization, facility planning, materials management, relocatable classrooms, and remaining budget enhancements, then made a funding recommendation. Present were Chair Will Jawando, Councilmember Shebra Evans, Councilmember Kristin Mink, and MCPS staff including Chief of Staff Ms. McGuire, Chief Technology Officer Kimberly Fields, Deputy Chief of Facilities Andrea Swiatocha, and Executive Director of Financial Oversight Carly Thompson.
Good morning. It is May 1st, and this is the Education and Culture Committee. We're having our fourth and final session on the operating budget and MC for MCPS. And we have a number of items to discuss to close out that we haven't touched yet, like technology modernization and a few other things, and then we will make a funding recommendation and talk through some of the scenarios that are in the packet and others that colleagues on the committee might want to talk about. So let's uh dig in. Uh, Mr. Proudie, do you want to start us off? Sure. Thank you very much, Church Rwando. So in your packet, you have information on pages uh two and three about um the technology modernization project. Um there also is a brief presentation from CPS about that. Uh and then following that, you have information on a number of CIP projects, facility planning, materials management, building relocation, and relocatable classrooms. And then finally, after that, we'll talk about a number of items that we haven't discussed yet that are um relatively big ticket items on uh the board proposal. And then there's some options for you uh in terms of your funding request or recommendation, I should say. Awesome. Thank you so much. Uh so Ms. McGuire, are we starting? Are you kicking us off? Certainly, I will just very briefly thank you. Uh, and then I'll turn to my colleague to talk more about um uh technology modernization. Um I do just want to start by saying uh first of all, Dr. Taylor had uh has uh a conflict um today that he regrets very much that he can't be here, but again, a requirement um with our state colleagues, and so uh he and I are in separate spaces today. Um thank you for for this opportunity. We'll answer questions. I would just say the first couple of items that you have here to discuss do reflect um some reductions that the um executive put forward in our current revenue projects in the CIP, and we'll talk through those, but uh those those do have implications for these projects, and we just want to um again acknowledge and be clear about that, understanding the fiscal limitations that the committee is uh is dealing with. But we can talk more about the specifics on those uh as we go through. Appreciate that. Yes. All right, good morning, council members of the education and culture committee. My name is Kimberly Fields, and I have the pleasure of serving as a chief technology officer for MCPS for about a year now. I welcome the opportunity to speak to all of you this morning as it relates to the FY27 technology modernization, also known as TechMod. The Tech MOP budget this morning resides within oh back a slide. Yep, yeah, thank you. Uh the TechMOD budget this morning resides in the division of technology services. It creates a consistent and technology experience across classrooms, offices, and shared learning spaces, as well as a modernized security and network infrastructure, which strengthens the data protection, cybersecurity, and system reliability. And then also, based upon the OIG Chromebook audit. This has also allowed for a value add, I would say, in the optimization of critical asset inventory management processes, which we are targeting to drive measurable efficiencies and improve resource allocations across the district. Next slide, please. What is tech mod? The technology modernization, tech mod project benefits students and staff district wide by providing safe, creative, collaborative, and up-to-date technology. It focuses on providing support for engaging learning environments by refreshing devices, interactive panels, printer security, and network infrastructure. From the pictures, you can see a sample of the learning engagement with the students as our technology implementation specialists have collaborated with teachers to enhance lessons using technology for students to learn how to code, be creative, brainstorming ideas, encouraging critical thinking, and complex problem solving, and an interactive project. The team has worked with students and teachers as it relates to robotics, engineering, bring students' stories to life, even additional using 3D printers and virtual reality platforms. Next slide, please. The Tech Mod assists students in being able to obtain internet access if access doesn't exist. Refreshing student and staff devices ensures technology can keep pace with the current curriculum, learning platforms and accessibility tools. Modern tools allow teachers to personalize instructions and better meet diverse learning needs. And we also want to make sure we have consistent and reliable student and staff experiences across the classrooms. We do support the STEM school support approved and technology supplies that they may need.