Karla Silvestre joins Julie Yang in jumping ship from the BOE in favor of County Council

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is the kind of discussion which turns a lot of talented people against running for BOE. Who wants to be subject to so much public criticism for negligible compensation?

Its a board position a few times a week. Its not a full-time job. Karla works at MC, which is why they funnel so much money to it. Real question is how much work does she actually do at MC if 2-3 days a week she's doing BOE stuff.

They did a study (trying to convince the state legislature to allow them to be paid more) and they work 40+ hours a week most weeks. And honestly there are a lot of things they aren't doing that they should do on top of that too, like requesting and reading relevant materials in-depth in advance of meetings to be able to ask the right questions and conduct real oversight.

They have staff to do a lot of tasks. If they are working 40 hours at the BOE, how is someone like Silvestre working 40 hours at MC?

What staff? They have few, and had almost none a couple of years ago. Nothing even close to the staff afforded to the County Council.

Not sure about Silvestre. Maybe hire a PI to find out?

J/K -- I imagine she can't spend as much time as that which the study that Evans championed suggested. That was one of her bright moments, sadly on the way out. As for the thought that it isn't a real job, MoCo (and DCUM) has to decide:

Does it want to have appropriately informed (time to review/investigate/visit/engage/discuss/etc.) oversight from those with reasonable analytical ability (skill set that might command fairly high compensation in an alternate occupation) who might fairly represent the electorate (not only those who might be independently wealthy enough to forego pay)? => Set compensation at a professional level.

Does it want low BOE compensation? => Accept inadequate representative oversight of the school system.

Or (most likely) does it want both? => Continue complaining without getting results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is the kind of discussion which turns a lot of talented people against running for BOE. Who wants to be subject to so much public criticism for negligible compensation?

Its a board position a few times a week. Its not a full-time job. Karla works at MC, which is why they funnel so much money to it. Real question is how much work does she actually do at MC if 2-3 days a week she's doing BOE stuff.

They did a study (trying to convince the state legislature to allow them to be paid more) and they work 40+ hours a week most weeks. And honestly there are a lot of things they aren't doing that they should do on top of that too, like requesting and reading relevant materials in-depth in advance of meetings to be able to ask the right questions and conduct real oversight.

They have staff to do a lot of tasks. If they are working 40 hours at the BOE, how is someone like Silvestre working 40 hours at MC?

What staff? They have few, and had almost none a couple of years ago. Nothing even close to the staff afforded to the County Council.

Not sure about Silvestre. Maybe hire a PI to find out?

J/K -- I imagine she can't spend as much time as that which the study that Evans championed suggested. That was one of her bright moments, sadly on the way out. As for the thought that it isn't a real job, MoCo (and DCUM) has to decide:

Does it want to have appropriately informed (time to review/investigate/visit/engage/discuss/etc.) oversight from those with reasonable analytical ability (skill set that might command fairly high compensation in an alternate occupation) who might fairly represent the electorate (not only those who might be independently wealthy enough to forego pay)? => Set compensation at a professional level.

Does it want low BOE compensation? => Accept inadequate representative oversight of the school system.

Or (most likely) does it want both? => Continue complaining without getting results.

Yup! You perfectly summed up the stakes and the choices here. By not offering competitive pay, we are stating that we want and expect a board that incapable of providing meaningful oversight over the superintendent and the school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is the kind of discussion which turns a lot of talented people against running for BOE. Who wants to be subject to so much public criticism for negligible compensation?

Its a board position a few times a week. Its not a full-time job. Karla works at MC, which is why they funnel so much money to it. Real question is how much work does she actually do at MC if 2-3 days a week she's doing BOE stuff.

They did a study (trying to convince the state legislature to allow them to be paid more) and they work 40+ hours a week most weeks. And honestly there are a lot of things they aren't doing that they should do on top of that too, like requesting and reading relevant materials in-depth in advance of meetings to be able to ask the right questions and conduct real oversight.

They have staff to do a lot of tasks. If they are working 40 hours at the BOE, how is someone like Silvestre working 40 hours at MC?

What staff? They have few, and had almost none a couple of years ago. Nothing even close to the staff afforded to the County Council.

Not sure about Silvestre. Maybe hire a PI to find out?

J/K -- I imagine she can't spend as much time as that which the study that Evans championed suggested. That was one of her bright moments, sadly on the way out. As for the thought that it isn't a real job, MoCo (and DCUM) has to decide:

Does it want to have appropriately informed (time to review/investigate/visit/engage/discuss/etc.) oversight from those with reasonable analytical ability (skill set that might command fairly high compensation in an alternate occupation) who might fairly represent the electorate (not only those who might be independently wealthy enough to forego pay)? => Set compensation at a professional level.

Does it want low BOE compensation? => Accept inadequate representative oversight of the school system.

Or (most likely) does it want both? => Continue complaining without getting results.

Yup! You perfectly summed up the stakes and the choices here. By not offering competitive pay, we are stating that we want and expect a board that incapable of providing meaningful oversight over the superintendent and the school system.

LOL

OK now do the Council. They are well paid. They have staff. And???? The "education" committee has had two meetings and hasn't bothered to investigate what was exposed this summer from the Inspector General about MCPS and screening of employees.

What exactly does that salary and staff get you at the Council? 0

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is the kind of discussion which turns a lot of talented people against running for BOE. Who wants to be subject to so much public criticism for negligible compensation?

Its a board position a few times a week. Its not a full-time job. Karla works at MC, which is why they funnel so much money to it. Real question is how much work does she actually do at MC if 2-3 days a week she's doing BOE stuff.

They did a study (trying to convince the state legislature to allow them to be paid more) and they work 40+ hours a week most weeks. And honestly there are a lot of things they aren't doing that they should do on top of that too, like requesting and reading relevant materials in-depth in advance of meetings to be able to ask the right questions and conduct real oversight.

They have staff to do a lot of tasks. If they are working 40 hours at the BOE, how is someone like Silvestre working 40 hours at MC?

What staff? They have few, and had almost none a couple of years ago. Nothing even close to the staff afforded to the County Council.

Not sure about Silvestre. Maybe hire a PI to find out?

J/K -- I imagine she can't spend as much time as that which the study that Evans championed suggested. That was one of her bright moments, sadly on the way out. As for the thought that it isn't a real job, MoCo (and DCUM) has to decide:

Does it want to have appropriately informed (time to review/investigate/visit/engage/discuss/etc.) oversight from those with reasonable analytical ability (skill set that might command fairly high compensation in an alternate occupation) who might fairly represent the electorate (not only those who might be independently wealthy enough to forego pay)? => Set compensation at a professional level.

Does it want low BOE compensation? => Accept inadequate representative oversight of the school system.

Or (most likely) does it want both? => Continue complaining without getting results.

Yup! You perfectly summed up the stakes and the choices here. By not offering competitive pay, we are stating that we want and expect a board that incapable of providing meaningful oversight over the superintendent and the school system.

LOL

OK now do the Council. They are well paid. They have staff. And???? The "education" committee has had two meetings and hasn't bothered to investigate what was exposed this summer from the Inspector General about MCPS and screening of employees.

What exactly does that salary and staff get you at the Council? 0

OK. So, complain about the Council, which gets paid very well and who can pay friends to be on their staff or arrange for them to be paid well in a slew of county admin positions, and not about the BOE, which does not. (It is clear that MCPS admin appointments are MCPS-central insider placements, with the resource-constrained BOE not being able to do much more than rubber stamp.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is the kind of discussion which turns a lot of talented people against running for BOE. Who wants to be subject to so much public criticism for negligible compensation?

Its a board position a few times a week. Its not a full-time job. Karla works at MC, which is why they funnel so much money to it. Real question is how much work does she actually do at MC if 2-3 days a week she's doing BOE stuff.

They did a study (trying to convince the state legislature to allow them to be paid more) and they work 40+ hours a week most weeks. And honestly there are a lot of things they aren't doing that they should do on top of that too, like requesting and reading relevant materials in-depth in advance of meetings to be able to ask the right questions and conduct real oversight.

They have staff to do a lot of tasks. If they are working 40 hours at the BOE, how is someone like Silvestre working 40 hours at MC?

What staff? They have few, and had almost none a couple of years ago. Nothing even close to the staff afforded to the County Council.

Not sure about Silvestre. Maybe hire a PI to find out?

J/K -- I imagine she can't spend as much time as that which the study that Evans championed suggested. That was one of her bright moments, sadly on the way out. As for the thought that it isn't a real job, MoCo (and DCUM) has to decide:

Does it want to have appropriately informed (time to review/investigate/visit/engage/discuss/etc.) oversight from those with reasonable analytical ability (skill set that might command fairly high compensation in an alternate occupation) who might fairly represent the electorate (not only those who might be independently wealthy enough to forego pay)? => Set compensation at a professional level.

Does it want low BOE compensation? => Accept inadequate representative oversight of the school system.

Or (most likely) does it want both? => Continue complaining without getting results.

Yup! You perfectly summed up the stakes and the choices here. By not offering competitive pay, we are stating that we want and expect a board that incapable of providing meaningful oversight over the superintendent and the school system.

LOL

OK now do the Council. They are well paid. They have staff. And???? The "education" committee has had two meetings and hasn't bothered to investigate what was exposed this summer from the Inspector General about MCPS and screening of employees.

What exactly does that salary and staff get you at the Council? 0

Fair point. Montgomery County government is very broken overall.

[Anonymous]

So, what do they plan to do about safety? There was a dangerous incident at a football game tonight, swastika, several lockdowns this week, bathrooms are still locked. These two run the show. Yet…nothing.

[Anonymous]

Most boards are volunteer positions that get stipends. The county council is not a board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And this is the kind of discussion which turns a lot of talented people against running for BOE. Who wants to be subject to so much public criticism for negligible compensation?

Its a board position a few times a week. Its not a full-time job. Karla works at MC, which is why they funnel so much money to it. Real question is how much work does she actually do at MC if 2-3 days a week she's doing BOE stuff.

They did a study (trying to convince the state legislature to allow them to be paid more) and they work 40+ hours a week most weeks. And honestly there are a lot of things they aren't doing that they should do on top of that too, like requesting and reading relevant materials in-depth in advance of meetings to be able to ask the right questions and conduct real oversight.

They have staff to do a lot of tasks. If they are working 40 hours at the BOE, how is someone like Silvestre working 40 hours at MC?

What staff? They have few, and had almost none a couple of years ago. Nothing even close to the staff afforded to the County Council.

Not sure about Silvestre. Maybe hire a PI to find out?

J/K -- I imagine she can't spend as much time as that which the study that Evans championed suggested. That was one of her bright moments, sadly on the way out. As for the thought that it isn't a real job, MoCo (and DCUM) has to decide:

Does it want to have appropriately informed (time to review/investigate/visit/engage/discuss/etc.) oversight from those with reasonable analytical ability (skill set that might command fairly high compensation in an alternate occupation) who might fairly represent the electorate (not only those who might be independently wealthy enough to forego pay)? => Set compensation at a professional level.

Does it want low BOE compensation? => Accept inadequate representative oversight of the school system.

Or (most likely) does it want both? => Continue complaining without getting results.

No way she is working 40 hours at MC and the BOE so the county is paying her for Mc to do what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most boards are volunteer positions that get stipends. The county council is not a board.

Soooo...you are in the "we shouldn't complain, because, after all, they are only a board, not full time or anything" camp?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most boards are volunteer positions that get stipends. The county council is not a board.

Soooo...you are in the "we shouldn't complain, because, after all, they are only a board, not full time or anything" camp?

They have full time jobs and the county is paying one good money. They knew it was basically a volunteer job and choose to do it. Don’t like the pay, don’t go for it.

[Anonymous]

County is paying $168 for at best part time work at MC plus the board stipend. She’s getting plenty. https://govsalaries.com/silvestre-karla-i-174795923

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, what do they plan to do about safety? There was a dangerous incident at a football game tonight, swastika, several lockdowns this week, bathrooms are still locked. These two run the show. Yet…nothing.

Nothing. They will continue to pay Chief Safety Officer Marcus Jones top dollar to sit around do absolutely nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most boards are volunteer positions that get stipends. The county council is not a board.

Soooo...you are in the "we shouldn't complain, because, after all, they are only a board, not full time or anything" camp?

They have full time jobs and the county is paying one good money. They knew it was basically a volunteer job and choose to do it. Don’t like the pay, don’t go for it.

Or we could decide that arrangement is garbage and we should rethink it and do better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most boards are volunteer positions that get stipends. The county council is not a board.

Soooo...you are in the "we shouldn't complain, because, after all, they are only a board, not full time or anything" camp?

They have full time jobs and the county is paying one good money. They knew it was basically a volunteer job and choose to do it. Don’t like the pay, don’t go for it.

Or we could decide that arrangement is garbage and we should rethink it and do better?

So, the county should double pay, so $160k for Mc and double that for the board. The state, not county decides and it basically a volunteer job. Maybe if they showed some level of competence vs ruining MCPS. We should hold the BOE members accountable. Their income is their problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most boards are volunteer positions that get stipends. The county council is not a board.

Soooo...you are in the "we shouldn't complain, because, after all, they are only a board, not full time or anything" camp?

They have full time jobs and the county is paying one good money. They knew it was basically a volunteer job and choose to do it. Don’t like the pay, don’t go for it.

Or we could decide that arrangement is garbage and we should rethink it and do better?

So, the county should double pay, so $160k for Mc and double that for the board. The state, not county decides and it basically a volunteer job. Maybe if they showed some level of competence vs ruining MCPS. We should hold the BOE members accountable. Their income is their problem.

You're not answering the question.

I am aware that the state has to make the structural change to the board and not the county. But that doesn't change the fact that we need to reimagine how the BOE is set up in Montgomery County if we want to hold it accountable for oversight of the school system.

Why would you expect high-quality oversight from a volunteer, underscoped job and use that as a premise for why we shouldn't dismantle the current model and replace it with one that offers reasonable compensation that would attract a pool of candidates who you can reasonably expect to hold accountable for their performance?

The other option is to redefine responsibility of the school board and start shifting some of that over to the County Council, who does have full-time councilmembers with reasonable pay, sizable staff and the control over the funding levels for the school system.