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Dear Dr. Felder and Members of the Board of Education,

We are deeply disappointed that the Board of Education, which agreed in March 2024 to fund the Montgomery Virtual Academy for the 2024-2025 school year, is now planning to eliminate the program. This abrupt decision leaves students without their school and staff without jobs, creating uncertainty and offering no alternatives for the rapidly approaching school year.

On behalf of the Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council, we strongly advocate for the continuation of this vital program. The Montgomery Virtual Academy provides unparalleled flexibility and accessibility, serving as a lifeline for families with diverse needs, such as medical conditions, unique learning styles, or scheduling conflicts. It offers a supportive, inclusive environment for students who may feel marginalized in traditional settings, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

The dedication of the deans, administrators, teachers, staff, and paraprofessionals at the Montgomery Virtual Academy has been extraordinary. Their commitment to personalized academic assistance and support has significantly benefited our students. Furthermore, eliminating this program means that these dedicated professionals will lose their jobs, impacting their livelihoods and depriving the MCPS educational community of their expertise and passion.

Eliminating this crucial program would disrupt students' education and deprive them of a learning environment tailored to their needs. No other public or private alternative programs offer the same level of education as the Montgomery Virtual Academy. For many families, this program is the only viable option, and its closure would be devastating.

We urge you to reconsider and continue funding the Montgomery Virtual Academy. By doing so, you will support the diverse needs of our students and families and demonstrate a commitment to excellence, equity, and innovation in education, thereby "expanding opportunity and unleashing potential" for MCPS students & staff.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,

Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council

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**How You Can Help**

Thank you in advance for your support! Please write letters advocating for the continuation of the Montgomery Virtual Academy to the MCPS Superintendent and Board of Education members.

**MCPS Superintendent:**
Dr. Monique T. Felder at Monique_T_Felder@mcpsmd.org

**MCPS Board of Education:**
- At Large: Karla Silvestre (Karla_Silvestre@mcpsmd.org) and Lynne Harris (Lynne_Harris@mcpsmd.org)
- District 1: Graciela Rivera-Oven (Graciela_Rivera-oven@mcpsmd.org)
- District 2: Rebecca K. Smondrowski (Rebecca_K_Smondrowski@mcpsmd.org)
- District 3: Julie Yang (Julie_Yang@mcpsmd.org)
- District 4: Shebra L. Evans (Shebra_L_Evans@mcpsmd.org)
- District 5: Brenda Wolff (Brenda_Wolff@mcpsmd.org)