December 7, 2007

Dear MSD Community,

I wish to share with each of you several highlights at MSD.

** The Maryland General Assembly recently had a special session to address the State’s severe budget deficits.  MSD’s Fiscal Year 2009 allowance in Governor Martin O’Malley’s state budget will be released sometime soon.  It is anticipated that MSD will receive “flat funding” for Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010.  That is, funding levels in the next two years will probably be the same as this year.

** For Fiscal Year 2009, MSD has requested Capital Improvement Program monies ($4,150,000) for the construction of the new Student Center and Cafeteria at the
Frederick Campus; and also ($100,000) for the design of the new athletic fields and new Main Building  parking lot at the Columbia Campus.

** The construction of the new Frederick Campus Elementary/Family Education
Complex is on schedule and should be completed sometime late fall of 2008.  It is
exciting to watch the building “grow” in shape and size.

** The next Parents/Superintendent Forum at the Columbia Campus is Tuesday,
December 18, 2007 at 6:30 P.M. at the Main Building Multi-Purpose Room.  The next parent forum at the Frederick Campus is Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 6:30 P.M. at the Ely Building Seminar Room.  Progress reports from three separate MSD Task Forces will be shared: (MSD Elementary and Middle School Students with Special Needs Program at Frederick Campus; the Feasibility of Establishing Day Care Services at MSD; and Admitting Hearing Students with ASL Skills to MSD).  As always, interpreters will be provided at both forums.

** MSD’s varsity girls’ volleyball and varsity football teams were recently selected as the “Team of the Year” by DeafDigest.com.  The volleyball team shared this national recognition with the Minnesota State Academy of the Deaf.   Junior Lauren Benedict
and senior Kevin Berrigan were also selected as co-players of the year in their respective sports.  Congratulations are in order for our student-athletes, student managers, cheerleaders, and coaches for their dedication and efforts.  Please look for in-depth articles in the upcoming fall issue of The Maryland Bulletin.

As always, you are welcome to contact me at 301.360.2005 or at james.tucker@msd.edu if you have questions or comments about this letter.  Have a productive, safe, and enjoyable holiday!

Sincerely,

James E. Tucker
Superintendent