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The Maryland State Board of Education has denied an appeal from a county resident concerning a Montgomery County Public Schools agreement with a company to develop a school curriculum, but simultaneously expressed strong skepticism about the deal.

In a 12-page opinion, dated Aug. 24, the state board denied the appeal of Janis Sartucci that challenged the legality of the county school board's deal with Pearson Education to develop an elementary school curriculum that Pearson then would sell to other school districts, with the school system collecting royalties on the sales.

In the original contract approved in June, Pearson was scheduled to pay $4.5 million over three years to the county school system for 12 instructors to help develop the K-5 curriculum (half of that, $2.25 million, was in advance of royalties and would have been paid back). But following a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the curriculum development announced last month, Pearson will pay $1.25 million to the school system for the instructors, plus $1.3 million in matching funds for the grant.

Sartucci alleged the deal violated bidding requirements for school system procurements from private companies, and that the local school board failed to follow appropriate procedures in considering the agreement before it approved the contract June 8.

Although the state school board denied Sartucci's appeal, it expressed concern that the confidential nature of the curriculum produced by the school system and Pearson would mean that Montgomery County Public Schools could not collaborate effectively with the state education department and other school districts that are developing new curriculum standards for statewide use.

In addition, the board raised the issue of whether curriculum reform ideas generated by the state education department and school districts could, in turn, simply be appropriated by the school system and Pearson for the commercial curriculum venture.

The board also said the curriculum from Pearson and the school system could end up simply duplicating the state's reform efforts.

"It appears to us that this duplicative and proprietary effort represents a waste of valuable resources. As we see it, the better course would be for MCPS/Pearson to find a way to collaborate with the MSDE on the K-5 curriculum and assessment development so that scarce resources are maximized within the State," the opinion reads.

The state board admitted it did not have all the details concerning the Pearson deal but could revisit the issue if necessary. An appeal from Sartucci seeking a stay of the contract's approval was denied by Deputy State Superintendent of Schools John Smeallie on June 28.

In response to the Aug. 24 opinion, Sartucci said her goals have been met, even though the state board ultimately dismissed her appeal.

"My goal was to allow the state board a platform for what was going on in Montgomery County with regards to privatizing a curriculum," she said.

County school system spokesman Dana Tofig emphasized that the curriculum developed by Pearson and the school system would meet Common Core Standards being developed by the state.

"As far as the curriculum goes, we've been on board for years," Tofig said.

The school board is scheduled to discuss K-5 curriculum at its Sept. 27 meeting.

Parent Advisory Council nominations being accepted

Montgomery County Public Schools is now accepting nominations to the Parent Advisory Council for the 2010-2011 school year.

The advisory council is intended to facilitate communication between parents and both individual schools and the entire system, and generally improve parent-school relationships. The council's goals include advocating for individual students, supporting student success and welcoming families to the school system. Council members also provide training for parent advocacy to improve student learning and work with the Parent Academy in evaluating public outreach efforts by the school system.

The council meets six times per school year. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sept. 20. Each nominee must be the parent or legal guardian of at least one child attending county public schools. This year, 15 nominees will be accepted — the council consists of 30 parents, each of whom serves a two-year term. Nominations are evaluated based on geography, the grade level of the nominees' children and areas of interest and expertise.

For more information and for a nomination packet, go to http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/familycommunity/PAC_Nomination_Packet_2010-2011.pdf.

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Two Parent Academy events scheduled for this month

The Montgomery County Public Schools Parent Academy schedule for this month includes a look at transportation operations for the school system and advice for financing college education.

On Sept. 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., parents who register can visit the Shady Grove transportation depot, 16651 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville, to learn more about planning for inclement weather and route-making decisions, as well as safety. On Sept. 26, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., the author of College Financial Aid for Dummies, Herm Davis, will share helpful tips on finding student loans and general ways to help make college affordable for parents.

The Parent Academy's series of meetings and events is provided by the school system to improve parents' knowledge of the school system and give them information on a variety of school-related topics — from effective discipline and nutrition to financial management and child development.

To learn more about upcoming Parent Academy workshops and to register for events, go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy.