Magnet Foundation News: Spring 2015

MCPS Budget Cuts in 2015-16: In February, the Foundation learned that the budget for the SRP coordinator's summer stipend was due to be cut.  After receiving more than 40 submissions from students, alumni, and parents, the Foundation submitted a letter to the MCPS office of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction, enclosing the testimonials in support of the Blair Magnet SRP.  In April, we learned that the majority of the funding would be restored, and Ms. Bosse will receive a $2,000 stipend for the summer.  Thank you all for your support!

Unfortunately, we also learned in March that the overall MCPS budget will be subject to an approximately 1% cut next year, and this threatens not only the SRP summer stipend but also the budget for teacher salaries during the school year.  If the  budget cuts are implemented as proposed, the Magnet will not offer Astronomy, 3-D Graphics, Advanced Geometry, or Plate Tectonics/Oceanography as electives in the 2015-16 school year.  The Magnet Foundation Board wrote to the County Council in April regarding the budget cuts.  You can help us advocate for Magnet funding by contacting your elected representatives:
The Foundation had the pleasure of presenting two awards this spring:
  • Craig Rice '90, Montgomery County Councilmember, was presented with the 2015 Blair Magnet Distinguished Alumni Award.
  • Stephanie Rager '15 was selected as the recipient of the 2015 Blair Leaders in Science Scholarship, a $5,000/year scholarship funded by a generous Magnet family.  She will be attending Columbia University in the fall as a biomedical engineering major.
At its spring meeting, the Foundation approved several grants:
  • $320 to purchase supplies for zebrafish used in biology classes
  • $500 to support the PTSA After-Prom
  • $500 to start a Science Olympiad team
  • $2,000 to register Montgomery County's ARML teams
  • $3,200 to help chaperones travel to the ACSL All-Star Competition
The next deadline to apply for a grant is July 24, 2015.