B-CC MS number 2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read the NAACP testimony from Monday night's hearing. They are not in favor of Options 1 or 7. They are in favor of Option 11, because it has two-way bussing, despite its awful utilization numbers (if you think 7 is bad, look at 11!). I'm confused why they didn't support Option 9, one of the original options, which has two-way bussing, and a great balance of FARMS, demographics, and utilization. I'm guessing it wasn't popular with Somerset and CCES, but it's curious to me. Anyone have any insight?

Actually, I have some insight on this. The NAACP has a policy where they will only publicly endorse two way bussing options. It is their policy. Privately, I had a NAACP member tell me they are deeply concerned about the inequity in the diversity numbers in Option 7, they find it problematic but can not take a public stand for Option 1 because it goes against NAACP policy of only supporting two way bussing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read the NAACP testimony from Monday night's hearing. They are not in favor of Options 1 or 7. They are in favor of Option 11, because it has two-way bussing, despite its awful utilization numbers (if you think 7 is bad, look at 11!). I'm confused why they didn't support Option 9, one of the original options, which has two-way bussing, and a great balance of FARMS, demographics, and utilization. I'm guessing it wasn't popular with Somerset and CCES, but it's curious to me. Anyone have any insight?

Actually, I have some insight on this. The NAACP has a policy where they will only publicly endorse two way bussing options. It is their policy. Privately, I had a NAACP member tell me they are deeply concerned about the inequity in the diversity numbers in Option 7, they find it problematic but can not take a public stand for Option 1 because it goes against NAACP policy of only supporting two way bussing.

Thanks, that's helpful to know. Do you know why they didn't support Option 9 from the beginning though? Why they would ask for a new two-way bussing option (11) rather than support the one that was already on the table and has really good balance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read the NAACP testimony from Monday night's hearing. They are not in favor of Options 1 or 7. They are in favor of Option 11, because it has two-way bussing, despite its awful utilization numbers (if you think 7 is bad, look at 11!). I'm confused why they didn't support Option 9, one of the original options, which has two-way bussing, and a great balance of FARMS, demographics, and utilization. I'm guessing it wasn't popular with Somerset and CCES, but it's curious to me. Anyone have any insight?

Actually, I have some insight on this. The NAACP has a policy where they will only publicly endorse two way bussing options. It is their policy. Privately, I had a NAACP member tell me they are deeply concerned about the inequity in the diversity numbers in Option 7, they find it problematic but can not take a public stand for Option 1 because it goes against NAACP policy of only supporting two way bussing.

Thanks, that's helpful to know. Do you know why they didn't support Option 9 from the beginning though? Why they would ask for a new two-way bussing option (11) rather than support the one that was already on the table and has really good balance?

My guess would be because it would split CCES from it's RHPS, NCC family. The unique bussing situation at RHPS was put in place to help the African Ametican community at the time in the 70's. Option 9 is split articulation of RHPS which would split those three communities a third time and put the entire RHPS arrangement in uncertainty.

Interestingly, Option 7 also puts the RHPS bussing arrangement in jeopardy by argiung for proximity over equity in diversity. Expect CCES NCC and RHPS to come out swinging for their own neighborhood schools and no bussing in elementary schools is if proximty is established as the most important factor in school boundaries with Option 7.

[Anonymous]

From the testimony on the 10th, the NAACPs credibility to weigh in on this was shot down by black parents themselves that live in the community.

I am beginning to sense also that most of the acrimony here is from NCC parents. I'm not sure why they are so upset though as many basically live in Kensington and are lucky not to be in the DCC. If they hate the "high" FARMS at MS#2, their alternative is DCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the testimony on the 10th, the NAACPs credibility to weigh in on this was shot down by black parents themselves that live in the community.

I am beginning to sense also that most of the acrimony here is from NCC parents. I'm not sure why they are so upset though as many basically live in Kensington and are lucky not to be in the DCC. If they hate the "high" FARMS at MS#2, their alternative is DCC.

There were black parents who testified for RHPS CCES and NCC too in support of Option 1. Also, the NAACP was not "shot down". They never took a public position on anything but two way bussing, as is their policy. Unless, those CCES RHPS and NCC African American voices don't count for you because they are not in the RCF community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the testimony on the 10th, the NAACPs credibility to weigh in on this was shot down by black parents themselves that live in the community.

I am beginning to sense also that most of the acrimony here is from NCC parents. I'm not sure why they are so upset though as many basically live in Kensington and are lucky not to be in the DCC. If they hate the "high" FARMS at MS#2, their alternative is DCC.

There were black parents who testified for RHPS CCES and NCC too in support of Option 1. Also, the NAACP was not "shot down". They never took a public position on anything but two way bussing, as is their policy. Unless, those CCES RHPS and NCC African American voices don't count for you because they are not in the RCF community.

I'm a different RCF poster, but of course those voices count and of course the NAACP position is very important in this debate. Thank you to the PP who provided info on these positions. The BOE has a lot to weigh, and to echo a different person who posted earlier, I hope we can all express our opinions with civility, trust the BOE to make their decision, and move forward with good intentions for all kids, whichever way they decide. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coming late to this, but how do you access the BOE hearing recording and/or read the testimony?

You can read and/or watch all the testimony on the MCPS website.

Testimony, Monday, Nov. 14: http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=AF2L7P551D65
Testimony, Thursday, Nov. 10: http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=AF2LPG5721E8
BOE Work Session, Nov. 3: http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=AEQMHN5B581E

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If all Chevy Chase, including RCF, are forced into middle school #2 with a high FARMS rate the property value of the housing will drop.

Many people who live in the more affluent sections of Chevy Chase send their kids to private schools. The housing price in these areas will stay constant because of the neighborhood.

The RCF, NCC and Rosemary Hills neighborhoods will see large housing declines. Many of these neighborhoods are perceived as not being as "nice" and can't withstand an over crowded high FARMS rate middle school, and some (mine included) have the split articulation already against us.

My source: two different realtors, we are thankfully moving out of this area, hopefully before the impact of the middle school is realized.

Plus 2, two realtors I know said the same exact thing. However, I don't think the BOE should make boundaries based on housing values, that would be horrible, but this is not the first time I have heard this. Property values are not a concern for me, not even close, overcrowding and lack of resources are.

And to the poster who said both middle schools will be "excellent". Are you serious? Outside of this issue, have you been reading up on MCPS lately? Either you are uninformed or your bar for excellence must be really low.

Sounds like you should move or go private. But don't pretend that all of us living in the RH/CC/NCC boundary agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the testimony on the 10th, the NAACPs credibility to weigh in on this was shot down by black parents themselves that live in the community.

I am beginning to sense also that most of the acrimony here is from NCC parents. I'm not sure why they are so upset though as many basically live in Kensington and are lucky not to be in the DCC. If they hate the "high" FARMS at MS#2, their alternative is DCC.

There were black parents who testified for RHPS CCES and NCC too in support of Option 1. Also, the NAACP was not "shot down". They never took a public position on anything but two way bussing, as is their policy. Unless, those CCES RHPS and NCC African American voices don't count for you because they are not in the RCF community.

Sure they have their own agenda, but they were in fact shot down in sense that they stepped in appearing to represent a segment of the RCF population (or a segment of the BCC population) and said population doesn't agree with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These posters have moved past overwrought and into absurd self-satire.

I've actually been wondering if an RCF parent is not pretending to be a CC/NCC parent and posting this stuff to undermine them. Some of the claims are so bizarre I just don't know what to think. The Westland will be 99% white and 99% top 1% was so crazy that I refuse to believe that an actual real person that is a responsible adult could write it.

The fact that 2 CC/NCC parents flipped out on board members in public around the same issues makes it highly likely these are bonafide looneys in your zone.

First of all, obviously you are directing your comment to a RCF poster who is slamming their CC/NCC "opposition". Nice tag teaming! Secondly, your name calling is pathetic, unintelligent and shows even you know the RCF arguement is self serving and wrong for the community at large. Argue on merits, not on name calling.

Keep in mind, you are going to face an entire school (NCC and CCES, there will be more of them than you in the overcrowded school) that will despise you and people like you for years with your nasty rhetoric. You refelect on your community.

The BOE has created a nasty situation in the new middle with Option 7. The hatred is running deep and will for a long time. Unfortunate. Many in NCC CCES and RCF hate each other. I have friends on each side who are not even speaking to each other anymore it has gotten so bad. Bad blood. Way to go Super Smith! Failure right out of the gate!

Your rhetoric undermines any credibility you might have if you simply made your arguments for option 1 without the extreme language. I would prefer option 1 too, but to say that the "entire school" is going to "despise" RCF families is ridiculous. I would prefer a school that is not overcrowded, but I don't blame the RCF families for advocating for what is best for them. And no, your privilege does not get to decide what is best for them; they can do that for themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If all Chevy Chase, including RCF, are forced into middle school #2 with a high FARMS rate the property value of the housing will drop.

Many people who live in the more affluent sections of Chevy Chase send their kids to private schools. The housing price in these areas will stay constant because of the neighborhood.

The RCF, NCC and Rosemary Hills neighborhoods will see large housing declines. Many of these neighborhoods are perceived as not being as "nice" and can't withstand an over crowded high FARMS rate middle school, and some (mine included) have the split articulation already against us.

My source: two different realtors, we are thankfully moving out of this area, hopefully before the impact of the middle school is realized.

Plus 2, two realtors I know said the same exact thing. However, I don't think the BOE should make boundaries based on housing values, that would be horrible, but this is not the first time I have heard this. Property values are not a concern for me, not even close, overcrowding and lack of resources are.

And to the poster who said both middle schools will be "excellent". Are you serious? Outside of this issue, have you been reading up on MCPS lately? Either you are uninformed or your bar for excellence must be really low.

Sounds like you should move or go private. But don't pretend that all of us living in the RH/CC/NCC boundary agree with you.

You don't have to agree with me, but it's just simply a hard financial fact that Option 7 will cause real families to have decreased housing values. An overcrowded, high FARMS middle school will be a huge deterrent to a homeowner, especially to the properties that are closer to less desirable Silver Spring.

It's also a fact that both schools will not be "excellent", dream on about a joint PTA. It's very hard to get anyone to be on a PTA board and do the enormous amount of required work. No one wants to do the fundraising and parents will not donate money that is going to another school.

I don't think RCF families have really considered the consequences of their desire for a closer location.

As far as the person stating that the Kensington families should go DCC. It makes much more sense geographically to put RCF in the DCC for middle and high school if proximity is the key. It would solve a lot of problems, BCC is already overcrowded and they are the outlier.

[Anonymous]

So let me get this straight:

1. "Triad" families advocated to stay together in middle school AND go to the closer school. Under the Superintendent's proposed scenario, they get BOTH those things.

2. RCF families advocated to stay together and go to the closer school as well. Under the likely options on the table, they don't get both, only one. They have to choose which is more important, and for the majority of the school, going to the closer school takes priority. Seems like a VERY reasonable position.

So how is RCF the villain here? I mean, why should they be on the hook for travelling to the farther away school to balance out the schools? Can someone else volunteer to step up? RCF didn't develop the original proposals; RCF didn't impose the bussing on the Triad schools. So please, please stop directing all this hatred towards RCF! Both the Triad schools and RCF are lovely schools that people like, so I'm sure that the middle school they feed to will also be lovely.

[Anonymous]

Just like it will be a "hard fact" that Westland will be 99 percent white?

Just stop with spreading the hateful BS.

[Anonymous]

I have a strange feeling that the CC families are ticked because they probably would have preferred to stay at Westland and would have been fine splitting off, but it wasn't PC to say that to the rest of the school. Now they are stuck with what they see as a "worse" school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a strange feeling that the CC families are ticked because they probably would have preferred to stay at Westland and would have been fine splitting off, but it wasn't PC to say that to the rest of the school. Now they are stuck with what they see as a "worse" school.

That's what happens when you operate in bad faith...