Who is Mike Durso?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He was the popular principal for decades at Arlington’s Yorktown High School. He abruptly resigned in the mid-90s to become principal at Springbrook HS in MCPS. He’s been with MCPS ever since and is one of the region’s most respected educators.

MCPS can definitely use the experience of someone who ran schools 35 years ago. Not much has changed since then and so he seems like a great fit.

Springbrook was actually a desirable school when he was principal so he might know a thing or two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He was the popular principal for decades at Arlington’s Yorktown High School. He abruptly resigned in the mid-90s to become principal at Springbrook HS in MCPS. He’s been with MCPS ever since and is one of the region’s most respected educators.

MCPS can definitely use the experience of someone who ran schools 35 years ago. Not much has changed since then and so he seems like a great fit.

Springbrook was actually a desirable school when he was principal so he might know a thing or two.

And he was on the BOE through 2018.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He was the popular principal for decades at Arlington’s Yorktown High School. He abruptly resigned in the mid-90s to become principal at Springbrook HS in MCPS. He’s been with MCPS ever since and is one of the region’s most respected educators.

MCPS can definitely use the experience of someone who ran schools 35 years ago. Not much has changed since then and so he seems like a great fit.

Springbrook was actually a desirable school when he was principal so he might know a thing or two.

Right. It was also one of the wealthier MCPS schools in the 90s. Hard to believe in this day and age, but it had a stronger reputation than B-CC then.

The Washington Post actually wrote about Durso’s transition from Yorktown HS, and (according to the article) his experience dealing with wealthy, entitled North Arlington parents helped with the transition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He was the popular principal for decades at Arlington’s Yorktown High School. He abruptly resigned in the mid-90s to become principal at Springbrook HS in MCPS. He’s been with MCPS ever since and is one of the region’s most respected educators.

MCPS can definitely use the experience of someone who ran schools 35 years ago. Not much has changed since then and so he seems like a great fit.

Springbrook was actually a desirable school when he was principal so he might know a thing or two.

Right. It was also one of the wealthier MCPS schools in the 90s. Hard to believe in this day and age, but it had a stronger reputation than B-CC then.

The Washington Post actually wrote about Durso’s transition from Yorktown HS, and (according to the article) his experience dealing with wealthy, entitled North Arlington parents helped with the transition.

The school drew from some wealthy neighborhoods and some of the poorest neighborhoods in the county. It wasn’t an easy gig at all and wasn’t as wealthy as Whitman, Sherwood, Churchill, RM, Wootton, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He was the popular principal for decades at Arlington’s Yorktown High School. He abruptly resigned in the mid-90s to become principal at Springbrook HS in MCPS. He’s been with MCPS ever since and is one of the region’s most respected educators.

MCPS can definitely use the experience of someone who ran schools 35 years ago. Not much has changed since then and so he seems like a great fit.

Springbrook was actually a desirable school when he was principal so he might know a thing or two.

Right. It was also one of the wealthier MCPS schools in the 90s. Hard to believe in this day and age, but it had a stronger reputation than B-CC then.

The Washington Post actually wrote about Durso’s transition from Yorktown HS, and (according to the article) his experience dealing with wealthy, entitled North Arlington parents helped with the transition.

The school drew from some wealthy neighborhoods and some of the poorest neighborhoods in the county. It wasn’t an easy gig at all and wasn’t as wealthy as Whitman, Sherwood, Churchill, RM, Wootton, etc.

Late 90s Springbrook grad.
Before the consortium, the boundary lines for Springbrook followed New Hampshire ave from Langley Park (lower working class and a lot of apartments) up through Colesville and Cloverly. While the average wealth doesn’t compare, the highly educated two parent households were just as income and educational obtainment competitive as any of the W schools. Additionally Springbrook had the benefit of being wonderfully racially, religiously, and ethnically diverse, mostly middle, upper middle, and upper class families. I went on to multiple degrees and my high school classmates remain some of the most impressive people that I know.
Many, many highly educated, high earning professionals at our reunions.

Durso was a great principal 25+ years ago, but he’s in his 80s… I guess I’m kind of surprised he doesn’t want to retire, but some people just like to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The IG investigation found he violated policies so what are they waiting for. The notion there is a legal basis to keep on the payroll strains credility

The legal basis is that the first MCPS investigation cleared him. It’s a really messy HR problem, entirely of MCPS’s own making.

That was my takeaway. The redundant investigations just seem like a fishing trip for alternate facts. Why does MCPS waste so much money on this nonsense.

I hate that we have to keep having this conversation, but here are the facts.

1. The Washington Post did an investigation in which 30+ witnesses and victims said that they had been bullied, harassed, or had witnessed sexual harassment and bullying.

2. MCPS removed the perpetrator from his new role as a HS principal and hid him at Central Office.

3. The MCPS-hired law firm found that the district had failed to follow their own policies, had ignored victim testimony, and committed fraud by backdating his paperwork. As a result, an additional four administrators either left their positions or were placed on leave.

4. The state-led investigation found that the perpetrator had indeed perpetuated a culture of sexual harassment, bullying, and retaliation. They also uncovered multiple additional witnesseses and victims.

5. We are now waiting on a second state-led investigation into how MCPS messed this up so badly, as a result of which we can expect multiple additional resignations and firings.

So, yes, he was cleared in one investigation but that investigation was later found to be not just sloppy, but outright fraudulent. That's not exculpatory - it actually looks worse!

And all Beidleman discussions are being removed today from this forum.

[Anonymous]

The second IG report is coming out soon. That report will help explain why the chief of staff position was open.

[Anonymous]

MoCo 360 article on response and reaction to the Durso hire: https://moco360.media/2024/01/10/michael-dursos-long-history-with-mcps-draws-pointed-reactions-to-his-new-role/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He was the popular principal for decades at Arlington’s Yorktown High School. He abruptly resigned in the mid-90s to become principal at Springbrook HS in MCPS. He’s been with MCPS ever since and is one of the region’s most respected educators.

MCPS can definitely use the experience of someone who ran schools 35 years ago. Not much has changed since then and so he seems like a great fit.

Springbrook was actually a desirable school when he was principal so he might know a thing or two.

Right. It was also one of the wealthier MCPS schools in the 90s. Hard to believe in this day and age, but it had a stronger reputation than B-CC then.

The Washington Post actually wrote about Durso’s transition from Yorktown HS, and (according to the article) his experience dealing with wealthy, entitled North Arlington parents helped with the transition.

The school drew from some wealthy neighborhoods and some of the poorest neighborhoods in the county. It wasn’t an easy gig at all and wasn’t as wealthy as Whitman, Sherwood, Churchill, RM, Wootton, etc.

Late 90s Springbrook grad.
Before the consortium, the boundary lines for Springbrook followed New Hampshire ave from Langley Park (lower working class and a lot of apartments) up through Colesville and Cloverly. While the average wealth doesn’t compare, the highly educated two parent households were just as income and educational obtainment competitive as any of the W schools. Additionally Springbrook had the benefit of being wonderfully racially, religiously, and ethnically diverse, mostly middle, upper middle, and upper class families. I went on to multiple degrees and my high school classmates remain some of the most impressive people that I know.
Many, many highly educated, high earning professionals at our reunions.

Durso was a great principal 25+ years ago, but he’s in his 80s… I guess I’m kind of surprised he doesn’t want to retire, but some people just like to work.

Thanks for the context. FWIW, I don't get the impression he just likes to work. I get the impression he has a vested interest in MCPS, and stepped into a vacant role as a placeholder.

For reasons that we don't need to rehash, a number of very senior Central Office roles are currently either completely open, or the incumbents are on indefinite leave. In a crisis, I think it is sort of "all hands on deck" and he was a hand who stepped in. I don't love the fact that one of the nation's largest suburban districts has needed to purge so many senior staff, and that the "bench" is so shallow that they need to bring in an octogenarian, but it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MoCo 360 article on response and reaction to the Durso hire: https://moco360.media/2024/01/10/michael-dursos-long-history-with-mcps-draws-pointed-reactions-to-his-new-role/

Ooh, nice quotes from Starr himself

[Anonymous]

Way back then they had punishments, consequences, teachers had authority, students had respect, everyone and their brother was not frauding the data. These were better more simpler times. Is this old dude going to go back in time with some sort of time machine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Way back then they had punishments, consequences, teachers had authority, students had respect, everyone and their brother was not frauding the data. These were better more simpler times. Is this old dude going to go back in time with some sort of time machine.

He was a fair but firm principal back in the 80s in Arlington. Well liked by students and staff. He has decades of experience however so I’m sure he’s up to date on all the latest trends and issues. It appears he never fully retired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The IG investigation found he violated policies so what are they waiting for. The notion there is a legal basis to keep on the payroll strains credility

The legal basis is that the first MCPS investigation cleared him. It’s a really messy HR problem, entirely of MCPS’s own making.

That was my takeaway. The redundant investigations just seem like a fishing trip for alternate facts. Why does MCPS waste so much money on this nonsense.

I hate that we have to keep having this conversation, but here are the facts.

1. The Washington Post did an investigation in which 30+ witnesses and victims said that they had been bullied, harassed, or had witnessed sexual harassment and bullying.

2. MCPS removed the perpetrator from his new role as a HS principal and hid him at Central Office.

3. The MCPS-hired law firm found that the district had failed to follow their own policies, had ignored victim testimony, and committed fraud by backdating his paperwork. As a result, an additional four administrators either left their positions or were placed on leave.

4. The state-led investigation found that the perpetrator had indeed perpetuated a culture of sexual harassment, bullying, and retaliation. They also uncovered multiple additional witnesseses and victims.

5. We are now waiting on a second state-led investigation into how MCPS messed this up so badly, as a result of which we can expect multiple additional resignations and firings.

So, yes, he was cleared in one investigation but that investigation was later found to be not just sloppy, but outright fraudulent. That's not exculpatory - it actually looks worse!

And all Beidleman discussions are being removed today from this forum.

Sounds like they're just creating more investigations like the House GOP until they get the verdict they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Way back then they had punishments, consequences, teachers had authority, students had respect, everyone and their brother was not frauding the data. These were better more simpler times. Is this old dude going to go back in time with some sort of time machine.

He was a fair but firm principal back in the 80s in Arlington. Well liked by students and staff. He has decades of experience however so I’m sure he’s up to date on all the latest trends and issues. It appears he never fully retired.

It might be a good thing if he weren't up to date with all the fads that the CO is into. Maybe get back to basics and focus on educating children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The IG investigation found he violated policies so what are they waiting for. The notion there is a legal basis to keep on the payroll strains credility

The legal basis is that the first MCPS investigation cleared him. It’s a really messy HR problem, entirely of MCPS’s own making.

That was my takeaway. The redundant investigations just seem like a fishing trip for alternate facts. Why does MCPS waste so much money on this nonsense.

I hate that we have to keep having this conversation, but here are the facts.

1. The Washington Post did an investigation in which 30+ witnesses and victims said that they had been bullied, harassed, or had witnessed sexual harassment and bullying.

2. MCPS removed the perpetrator from his new role as a HS principal and hid him at Central Office.

3. The MCPS-hired law firm found that the district had failed to follow their own policies, had ignored victim testimony, and committed fraud by backdating his paperwork. As a result, an additional four administrators either left their positions or were placed on leave.

4. The state-led investigation found that the perpetrator had indeed perpetuated a culture of sexual harassment, bullying, and retaliation. They also uncovered multiple additional witnesseses and victims.

5. We are now waiting on a second state-led investigation into how MCPS messed this up so badly, as a result of which we can expect multiple additional resignations and firings.

So, yes, he was cleared in one investigation but that investigation was later found to be not just sloppy, but outright fraudulent. That's not exculpatory - it actually looks worse!

And all Beidleman discussions are being removed today from this forum.

Sounds like they're just creating more investigations like the House GOP until they get the verdict they want.

That would be a great theory if all of the investigations so far hadn’t found egregious wrongdoing and raised exceptionally grave concerns about the superintendent’s ability to lead MCPS. It almost sounds like they’re doing the OPPOSITE of the house GOP and doing investigations until one says everything is fine and nothing bad ever happened. Wouldn’t you agree?