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Schools

Superintendent Answers to Students at Town Hall Meeting

Students wanted answers about revenue from expanded gambling, lunch options and technology at a town hall meeting.

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joshua Starr made it clear Wednesday that he values the opinions of the students when it comes to education matters.

Students packed Albert Einstein High in Kensington to talk to the district's top man. Questions ranged from the logistics of Question 7 and how the gambling money will be used, the variety of healthy food items offered at lunch and the technological resources available in the classroom.

Moderated by John Mannes, student member of the county's Board of Education, Starr jumped right into questions from students in the audience and those who sent questions via Twitter. 

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On revenue from expanded gambling, Starr said from his understanding some of the money is supposed to go to education, but it’s not clear that all the money will be directed explicitly to the school system. He also added that if any extra money does come into the school system, MCPS will spend it wisely. Yet, he said he always tells his staff to budget the money they do have and not the money they are expecting.

As the town hall continued, Starr was asked about school lunches, seatbelts on school buses, technology in the classroom, the division in the classroom between special education students and other students and if there will be a change in school start times.

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In regards to the hot topic of healthy lunch options, Starr responded, “I know it doesn’t look like it from the cafeteria, but I will tell you we are working hard to find low-cost, better foods that kids like.”

To watch the video from yesterday’s town hall meeting visit the Montgomery County School homepage. The next student town hall meeting is set for Nov. 27 at Redland Middle in Rockville. 

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