IN BRIEF

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Special-Ed Plan Affirmed

The Maryland State Board of Education has affirmed a decision by Montgomery County school board members to phase out eight secondary learning centers for special education students, ruling against 12 families who appealed the action this year.

In an opinion dated Aug. 29, state school board members faulted their Montgomery counterparts for enacting a "significant change in policy" without public notice or input in moving to close the special education centers.

School Superintendent Jerry D. Weast announced the phase-out plan during last year's December holiday break and board members voted on it in February as part of the school system budget.

But the state panel declined to reverse the decision, saying it could not do so unless the appellants could show they had been prejudiced by the policy violation.

Despite the lack of public notice, Weast's announcement prompted several rounds of protest and public comment. The superintendent ultimately altered the plan so that no student currently studying in the centers would be displaced.

A large number of parents maintain the centers should remain open.

The learning centers, which serve a few hundred students in largely self-contained classes at five middle schools and three high schools, will be closed over six years, part of a countywide shift toward educating special needs students in regular classrooms.

9/11 Memorial Concert

The Navy's Commodores jazz ensemble will be the featured act at a free concert Montgomery County is hosting Tuesday to mark the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The concert, which will pay tribute to the 11 county residents who died in the attacks, will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cabin John Regional Park Amphitheater, 7400 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac.

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Randolph Theatre, 4010 Randolph Rd., Wheaton. For more information, call 240-777-6820.

Black Leadership Forums

Leaders in Montgomery County's African American community will host forums at four locations in the next two months to get feedback on county issues.

Comments gathered at the meetings will be developed into reports that will be presented to County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and county department heads at the African American/Black Leadership Summit on Dec. 11.

The African American/Black Leadership Summit Planning Committee is organizing the meetings with support from the African American Advisory Group, one of Leggett's three ethnic advisory committees.

The schedule:

? "Exploring Criminal Justice and Its Effects on the African American Community." 7-9 p.m. Sept. 10. Germantown Library, 19840 Century Blvd. 240-777-0110.

? 7-9 p.m. Oct. 9. East County Community Center, 3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring. 301-572-7004.

? 7:30-9:30 p.m. Montgomery College, Takoma Park Campus, 7600 Takoma Ave., Silver Spring. 240-567-5000.

? "Accessing Good Jobs, Affordable Neighborhoods, Wealth and Economic Prosperity." 10 a.m.-noon. Oct. 20. Lincoln Park Community Center, 357 Frederick Ave., Rockville. 240-314-8780.

Austin Grill Expands

Austin Grill, a regional Tex-Mex chain, has opened a new location in Rockville Town Square. The restaurant includes a mezzanine level overlooking a stage for live music.

"We're excited about this new location, which creates a music venue in an area of Montgomery County that doesn't have many options for live music," Austin Grill President Chris Patterson said in a news release.

The chain, which began in the District, celebrates its 20th anniversary next year.

Crime Tips Hotline

The Gaithersburg Police Department has established a crime tip hotline -- 301-330-4471 -- for residents to report criminal activity.

Callers may choose to remain anonymous or leave contact information. Police said the tip line does not capture, record or display any information about the caller.

The tip line is not affiliated with Crime Solvers, nor does it provide a reward for information provided. Victims of or witnesses to a crime that requires police response should still call 911 or the non-emergency number of 301-279-8000 for police assistance.

Rockville Jobs Online

The City of Rockville has moved its job application process online. Prospective applicants can go to http://www.rockvillemd.gov/careers to build an application, submit a r?sum? or check the status of an application. Applicants will be notified automatically when there are new openings.

The city recently reached a one-year agreement with California-based NeoGov to provide the service.

Those without Internet access can still visit the first floor of Rockville City Hall at 111 Maryland Ave. to use the city's career kiosk. There are additional public access sites at Montgomery County public libraries and regional service centers.

-- Compiled by DANIEL DE VISE and MICHAEL TUNISON