BOE election candidates 2024

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a no on Laura Stewart.
'
Too much of a far left zealot for me. I'd prefer at least some semblance of non partisan moderation for the school board.

And by far left zealot you mean standing up for vulnerable children. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a no on Laura Stewart.
'
Too much of a far left zealot for me. I'd prefer at least some semblance of non partisan moderation for the school board.

I don't know how much of that you're going to get.

Those of us who say we want moderate voices on the school board are gonna have to get off the sidelines and enter the race. No one is coming to save us. We have to roll up our sleeves and get in the fight.

The reason school boards become so extreme is because those extremists are the ones who are motivated enough to run and campaign and win. If we want more moderates, it's time to enter the race. Otherwise, stop complaining.

[Anonymous]

I’m looking for BOE candidates who are going to focus on governing the schools. That means make sure policies are consistently implemented across the system and accountability and consequences when policies are not followed. The priority should be safety policies (including sexual violence, sexual harassment, and bullying), policies that implement federal and state law, and hiring policies. This school system will fail if everyone does their own thing and treats policies as if they’re a random list of ideas. I also want school board members who support progressive values but know those can’t be the focus until the governance is healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a no on Laura Stewart.
'
Too much of a far left zealot for me. I'd prefer at least some semblance of non partisan moderation for the school board.

I don't know how much of that you're going to get.

Those of us who say we want moderate voices on the school board are gonna have to get off the sidelines and enter the race. No one is coming to save us. We have to roll up our sleeves and get in the fight.

The reason school boards become so extreme is because those extremists are the ones who are motivated enough to run and campaign and win. If we want more moderates, it's time to enter the race. Otherwise, stop complaining.

As someone who is probably "far left" according to the the PP's definition, I'd actually agree with this. The Board of Education needs to take up its oversight responsibilities, and do so with a sober and persistent approach to asking hard questions and then pressing for answers.

We are not in a place, as a district, where we can afford to get caught up in culture war nonsense. We need the BoE to focus on righting the ship, within their mandate. So, even as someone who agrees with Stewart and other "far left" candidates on the issues, I'm not voting on that basis. I'm voting for the folks who look willing to buckle down and do the hard work, even when it is uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First candidate to file for District 4: Laura Stewart

It'll be interesting to see if Shebra Evans files again too, or if she's going to leave the board.

Laura Stewart is fantastic. Knowledgeable about CIP, school operations, responsive when people need assistance.


If you don't like Laura Stewart, vote for Shebra Evans (if she runs) and get more of what Evans offers, which is not much.

I’ve been impressed with Laura in my interactions with her through MCCPTA. And it is absolutely no question when compared with Evans. -DP

Is she still heavily involved in MCCPTA? Would be curious to hear her reaction to MCCPTA’s public statements in support of McKnight in the last couple weeks during this workplace harassment and bullying fiasco.

This is the MCCPTA statement I was referring to. Not the follow-up CYA statement they released after this initial one once they realized how tone deaf their original statement was and how it was such a bad look for them to be supporting McKnight. This is the kind of stuff that gives me pause about Laura Stewart and MCCPTA generally. This statement is the Nice White Lady approach, as another PP put it, as opposed to speaking in terms that reflect reality. Blaming the BOE for being “politically expedient” by ousting McKnight when it’s trying to root out a cover up of serial sexual harassment is not how most see it. Not so much a “public spat” but more of the BOE doing what nearly everyone agrees is the right thing.

“Cathy Stocker, the Vice President of Education at the Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) said the news of McKnight fighting her ouster came as a big surprise. While the school board has the right to hire and fire superintendents, Stocker said the MCCPTA is concerned that the decision was made without consulting major stakeholder groups.

“They also have another very important responsibility which is to clearly articulate expectations and deadlines and consequences to the executive leading the school system,” Stocker said. “And if the Board of Education did not, in fact, offer feedback and directly express to the superintendent the concerns of constituents or their own concerns, this kind of action runs the risk of looking politically expedient instead of a necessary action that serves their long term strategic plan and vision.”
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“Our preference is that our collective time energy and money and money should be focused on the needs of our students,” she added. “And this kind of public spat between the Board of Education and the superintendent of schools is not serving our students.”

[Anonymous]

This statement is the Nice White Lady approach, as another PP put it, as opposed to speaking in terms that reflect reality.

So much this. As Nice White Ladies, we are conditioned to avoid conflict and to assume that all disagreements can be resolved through "showing grace." Then, as "Nice White Ladies who Read White Fragility," we are conditioned to defer to BIPOC voices.

In general, showing grace and deferring to BIPOC voices can be a very good thing. In this specific case, though, you had a group of highly compensated C-Suite level Central Office officials using their collective power and authority to protect a serial abuser for consequences.

The same senior officials lied to the Board of Education, stymied an official state-level investigation, committed fraud, and consistently silenced the voices of those with less power (victims of sexual harassment, those who attempted to hold Beidelman to account).

This is not the time for grace. This is the time for decisive action to make our schools safe for students, teachers, and school-level administrators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This statement is the Nice White Lady approach, as another PP put it, as opposed to speaking in terms that reflect reality.

So much this. As Nice White Ladies, we are conditioned to avoid conflict and to assume that all disagreements can be resolved through "showing grace." Then, as "Nice White Ladies who Read White Fragility," we are conditioned to defer to BIPOC voices.

In general, showing grace and deferring to BIPOC voices can be a very good thing. In this specific case, though, you had a group of highly compensated C-Suite level Central Office officials using their collective power and authority to protect a serial abuser for consequences.

The same senior officials lied to the Board of Education, stymied an official state-level investigation, committed fraud, and consistently silenced the voices of those with less power (victims of sexual harassment, those who attempted to hold Beidelman to account).

This is not the time for grace. This is the time for decisive action to make our schools safe for students, teachers, and school-level administrators.

"Making our schools safe" is an aspect of white supremacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This statement is the Nice White Lady approach, as another PP put it, as opposed to speaking in terms that reflect reality.

So much this. As Nice White Ladies, we are conditioned to avoid conflict and to assume that all disagreements can be resolved through "showing grace." Then, as "Nice White Ladies who Read White Fragility," we are conditioned to defer to BIPOC voices.

In general, showing grace and deferring to BIPOC voices can be a very good thing. In this specific case, though, you had a group of highly compensated C-Suite level Central Office officials using their collective power and authority to protect a serial abuser for consequences.

The same senior officials lied to the Board of Education, stymied an official state-level investigation, committed fraud, and consistently silenced the voices of those with less power (victims of sexual harassment, those who attempted to hold Beidelman to account).

This is not the time for grace. This is the time for decisive action to make our schools safe for students, teachers, and school-level administrators.

So are you announcing your candidacy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a no on Laura Stewart.
'
Too much of a far left zealot for me. I'd prefer at least some semblance of non partisan moderation for the school board.

I don't know how much of that you're going to get.

Those of us who say we want moderate voices on the school board are gonna have to get off the sidelines and enter the race. No one is coming to save us. We have to roll up our sleeves and get in the fight.

The reason school boards become so extreme is because those extremists are the ones who are motivated enough to run and campaign and win. If we want more moderates, it's time to enter the race. Otherwise, stop complaining.

As someone who is probably "far left" according to the the PP's definition, I'd actually agree with this. The Board of Education needs to take up its oversight responsibilities, and do so with a sober and persistent approach to asking hard questions and then pressing for answers.

We are not in a place, as a district, where we can afford to get caught up in culture war nonsense. We need the BoE to focus on righting the ship, within their mandate. So, even as someone who agrees with Stewart and other "far left" candidates on the issues, I'm not voting on that basis. I'm voting for the folks who look willing to buckle down and do the hard work, even when it is uncomfortable.

The BoE does not have the resources it would need to do this, no matter who is on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a no on Laura Stewart.
'
Too much of a far left zealot for me. I'd prefer at least some semblance of non partisan moderation for the school board.

I don't know how much of that you're going to get.

Those of us who say we want moderate voices on the school board are gonna have to get off the sidelines and enter the race. No one is coming to save us. We have to roll up our sleeves and get in the fight.

The reason school boards become so extreme is because those extremists are the ones who are motivated enough to run and campaign and win. If we want more moderates, it's time to enter the race. Otherwise, stop complaining.

As someone who is probably "far left" according to the the PP's definition, I'd actually agree with this. The Board of Education needs to take up its oversight responsibilities, and do so with a sober and persistent approach to asking hard questions and then pressing for answers.

We are not in a place, as a district, where we can afford to get caught up in culture war nonsense. We need the BoE to focus on righting the ship, within their mandate. So, even as someone who agrees with Stewart and other "far left" candidates on the issues, I'm not voting on that basis. I'm voting for the folks who look willing to buckle down and do the hard work, even when it is uncomfortable.

The BoE does not have the resources it would need to do this, no matter who is on it.

The council has committed to fund more board staff, but the board shouldn’t be a second central office because it doesn’t need to be. The board can leverage existing staff by, for example, giving the head of compliance a dual reporting line to the superintendent and the board and making sure the head of compliance has a direct communication channel to the board and can brief the board in closed session without the superintendent present.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a no on Laura Stewart.
'
Too much of a far left zealot for me. I'd prefer at least some semblance of non partisan moderation for the school board.

I don't know how much of that you're going to get.

Those of us who say we want moderate voices on the school board are gonna have to get off the sidelines and enter the race. No one is coming to save us. We have to roll up our sleeves and get in the fight.

The reason school boards become so extreme is because those extremists are the ones who are motivated enough to run and campaign and win. If we want more moderates, it's time to enter the race. Otherwise, stop complaining.

As someone who is probably "far left" according to the the PP's definition, I'd actually agree with this. The Board of Education needs to take up its oversight responsibilities, and do so with a sober and persistent approach to asking hard questions and then pressing for answers.

We are not in a place, as a district, where we can afford to get caught up in culture war nonsense. We need the BoE to focus on righting the ship, within their mandate. So, even as someone who agrees with Stewart and other "far left" candidates on the issues, I'm not voting on that basis. I'm voting for the folks who look willing to buckle down and do the hard work, even when it is uncomfortable.

The BoE does not have the resources it would need to do this, no matter who is on it.

The council has committed to fund more board staff, but the board shouldn’t be a second central office because it doesn’t need to be. The board can leverage existing staff by, for example, giving the head of compliance a dual reporting line to the superintendent and the board and making sure the head of compliance has a direct communication channel to the board and can brief the board in closed session without the superintendent present.

Great idea. Asking follow-up questions also does not require additional resources. For example, when Dr. McKnight testified that she "heard rumors swirling" about JB, she could have been asked for more information. Now, it turns out that she'd heard much more than rumors, but letting that kind of clear lie of omission go without follow-up is a serious missed opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone named Melissa Kim has filed today for the At Large seat. Anyone know which Melissa Kim it is? Someone by that name was a former DCPS deputy chancellor, but I don't know if it's her.

https://www.washingtoninformer.com/dcps-deputy-chancellor-melissa-kim-announces-resignation/

It's the one married to Clint Highfill

Does that mean she's the former DCPS person?

Melissa M Kim

Here's the DCUM posts at the time she left DCPS: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1084640.page

Do we still not know if this is the same Melissa Kim that's running for BOE now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a no on Laura Stewart.
'
Too much of a far left zealot for me. I'd prefer at least some semblance of non partisan moderation for the school board.

I don't know how much of that you're going to get.

Those of us who say we want moderate voices on the school board are gonna have to get off the sidelines and enter the race. No one is coming to save us. We have to roll up our sleeves and get in the fight.

The reason school boards become so extreme is because those extremists are the ones who are motivated enough to run and campaign and win. If we want more moderates, it's time to enter the race. Otherwise, stop complaining.

As someone who is probably "far left" according to the the PP's definition, I'd actually agree with this. The Board of Education needs to take up its oversight responsibilities, and do so with a sober and persistent approach to asking hard questions and then pressing for answers.

We are not in a place, as a district, where we can afford to get caught up in culture war nonsense. We need the BoE to focus on righting the ship, within their mandate. So, even as someone who agrees with Stewart and other "far left" candidates on the issues, I'm not voting on that basis. I'm voting for the folks who look willing to buckle down and do the hard work, even when it is uncomfortable.

The BoE does not have the resources it would need to do this, no matter who is on it.

You mean mental resources. Literally asking questions of MCPS staff would solve many problems. Actual questions with truthful answers. But you are correct, the BOE members do not have the mental capacity to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First candidate to file for District 4: Laura Stewart

It'll be interesting to see if Shebra Evans files again too, or if she's going to leave the board.

I know Laura a little bit. She definitely has a lot of enthusiasm but I feel like she's a bit redundant in terms of her POV with Lynn Harris.

All you need to know about her is see who is listed as her treasure. Glen Orlin who works for the county council and has worked there for decades. He's all in on covering up MCPS issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First candidate to file for District 4: Laura Stewart

It'll be interesting to see if Shebra Evans files again too, or if she's going to leave the board.

I know Laura a little bit. She definitely has a lot of enthusiasm but I feel like she's a bit redundant in terms of her POV with Lynn Harris.

All you need to know about her is see who is listed as her treasure. Glen Orlin who works for the county council and has worked there for decades. He's all in on covering up MCPS issues.

Glen retired, but yes he’s all in on covering up MCPS problems.