DCPS Central Office Cuts

[Anonymous]

Anyone who doesn't think that comments like this are not racially tinged is fooling herself:

"Sorry, but every time I've encountered anyone from downtown I've found them exceptionally stupid and unhelpful."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:There's more than a hint of racism in many of these comments. I have no doubt that those calling for mass firings at DCPS are white.

Why would you say that? Should Black parents and teachers not have higher expectations for CO staff? Who suffers the most from waste and fraud in CO? The under-resourced schools. The kids whose families can’t supplement when CO spends money on BS programs - money that should go to those kids.

It's ok to hate DOGE when most of the feds whose jobs are at stake aren't people of color and were making good money. But then it comes to DCPS, where the majority ARE people of color and these jobs have been paths to the middle class for generations, well . . . off with their heads! The ladies of Upper Caucasia have spoken!

It's not pleasant for anyone to get laid off. But trying to equate a few layoffs at bloated CO to the hatchet job of DOGE is silly.

A poster explained above why you are way off-base on the racism allegations.

And you realize that the fundamental purpose of DCPS is to educate students as best as possible, not to provide employment for employment's sake?

It would be helpful to further discussion on this thread if posters would identify what area of DC they live in and their race. Because we all know where all the complaints are coming from.

You first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who doesn't think that comments like this are not racially tinged is fooling herself:

"Sorry, but every time I've encountered anyone from downtown I've found them exceptionally stupid and unhelpful."

It's harsh; even mean. But "racially-tinged"? That's a stretch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:There's more than a hint of racism in many of these comments. I have no doubt that those calling for mass firings at DCPS are white.

Yup, I definitely see that and it is obvious. I would say that at least 65% of Central Office is black employees. The people complaining about Central Office cannot fathom the fact that black people are in charge. We all know that certain people believe that just because someone is black, they are lazy and unqualified for their position. Case closed. Prove me wrong that this isn’t the reason for the disdain for Central Office. I’ll wait….

How could someone possibly "prove you wrong" when all you have done is assert with zero evidence that they're racist? Comments like this one really do not help. They just make people roll their eyes. More than 60% of teachers at my kids' school are black, so why would I be uniquely racist against CO employees when I like my kids teachers and think that they are good at their jobs? In fact, I'd be happy to nominate several of my kids' teachers to CO because I think they'd be great. Unlike most CO folks I've dealt with.

+1. According to DCPS, only 29% of teachers and only 15% of in-school leadership identified as white in 2024. So if your stat that 60% of DCPS CO staff are POCs are correct then DCPS CO staff are actually disproportionately white comparatively... meaning that all of the folks saying that in-school staff are better than CO staff and resources should be devoted to in-school positions are actually advocating for the whitest group to face cuts. Seems like the DCPS CO person on this thread didn't actually know their stats before accusing everyone of racism.

Which school? So funny how none of you will answer the question being put to you. What is your race and what is your school? I'm so obviously right that the posters demanding mass firings at the CO are white ladies whose kids go to school WOTP. Just admit it, then we can move on.

You are the only one stuck.

well, your silence proves my point.

What point? That you're Black and some posters here are white?

What does that have yo do with whether CO is doing a good job -- or just doing a job?

I never said I'm black . . . interesting.

No, you didn't. Nor did anyone state their race, as it is irrelevant to the topic. But you seem to think it matters tremendously. And you seem to assume that anyone who thinks CO sucks is white, so I assume in return that you are not white, and orobably Black based on your assertion that DCPS has long been a path to MC for Blacks.

Whatever. This is pointless. View everything as all about race, or try to engage in productive discussion. You do you.

First, you make a lot of "assumptions," and they are incorrect, which again is interesting and says a lot about you.

Second, nothing when it comes to DCPS is unrelated to race.

Third, that DCPS employment has long been a path to the middle class for black DC residents isn't an "assertion." It's a fact.

You're living in a bubble and have many biases. You just don't see them.

So your point is CO is a jobs program, not a school system?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's more than a hint of racism in many of these comments. I have no doubt that those calling for mass firings at DCPS are white.

Yup, I definitely see that and it is obvious. I would say that at least 65% of Central Office is black employees. The people complaining about Central Office cannot fathom the fact that black people are in charge. We all know that certain people believe that just because someone is black, they are lazy and unqualified for their position. Case closed. Prove me wrong that this isn’t the reason for the disdain for Central Office. I’ll wait….

How could someone possibly "prove you wrong" when all you have done is assert with zero evidence that they're racist? Comments like this one really do not help. They just make people roll their eyes. More than 60% of teachers at my kids' school are black, so why would I be uniquely racist against CO employees when I like my kids teachers and think that they are good at their jobs? In fact, I'd be happy to nominate several of my kids' teachers to CO because I think they'd be great. Unlike most CO folks I've dealt with.

+1. According to DCPS, only 29% of teachers and only 15% of in-school leadership identified as white in 2024. So if your stat that 60% of DCPS CO staff are POCs are correct then DCPS CO staff are actually disproportionately white comparatively... meaning that all of the folks saying that in-school staff are better than CO staff and resources should be devoted to in-school positions are actually advocating for the whitest group to face cuts. Seems like the DCPS CO person on this thread didn't actually know their stats before accusing everyone of racism.

Which school? So funny how none of you will answer the question being put to you. What is your race and what is your school? I'm so obviously right that the posters demanding mass firings at the CO are white ladies whose kids go to school WOTP. Just admit it, then we can move on.

You are the only one stuck.

well, your silence proves my point.

What point? That you're Black and some posters here are white?

What does that have yo do with whether CO is doing a good job -- or just doing a job?

I never said I'm black . . . interesting.

No, you didn't. Nor did anyone state their race, as it is irrelevant to the topic. But you seem to think it matters tremendously. And you seem to assume that anyone who thinks CO sucks is white, so I assume in return that you are not white, and orobably Black based on your assertion that DCPS has long been a path to MC for Blacks.

Whatever. This is pointless. View everything as all about race, or try to engage in productive discussion. You do you.

First, you make a lot of "assumptions," and they are incorrect, which again is interesting and says a lot about you.

Second, nothing when it comes to DCPS is unrelated to race.

Third, that DCPS employment has long been a path to the middle class for black DC residents isn't an "assertion." It's a fact.

You're living in a bubble and have many biases. You just don't see them.

So your point is CO is a jobs program, not a school system?

My point is that you are messing with people's livelihoods, and you shouldn't do that without good reason. And "good reason" isn't just that you don't think you're being well enough catered to in Upper Caucasia when in fact you are. It's a large system and not everything is about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who doesn't think that comments like this are not racially tinged is fooling herself:

"Sorry, but every time I've encountered anyone from downtown I've found them exceptionally stupid and unhelpful."

It's harsh; even mean. But "racially-tinged"? That's a stretch.

Uh huh . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's more than a hint of racism in many of these comments. I have no doubt that those calling for mass firings at DCPS are white.

Why would you say that? Should Black parents and teachers not have higher expectations for CO staff? Who suffers the most from waste and fraud in CO? The under-resourced schools. The kids whose families can’t supplement when CO spends money on BS programs - money that should go to those kids.

It's ok to hate DOGE when most of the feds whose jobs are at stake aren't people of color and were making good money. But then it comes to DCPS, where the majority ARE people of color and these jobs have been paths to the middle class for generations, well . . . off with their heads! The ladies of Upper Caucasia have spoken!

It's not pleasant for anyone to get laid off. But trying to equate a few layoffs at bloated CO to the hatchet job of DOGE is silly.

A poster explained above why you are way off-base on the racism allegations.

And you realize that the fundamental purpose of DCPS is to educate students as best as possible, not to provide employment for employment's sake?

It would be helpful to further discussion on this thread if posters would identify what area of DC they live in and their race. Because we all know where all the complaints are coming from.

You first.

20009. White. Now you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's more than a hint of racism in many of these comments. I have no doubt that those calling for mass firings at DCPS are white.

Yup, I definitely see that and it is obvious. I would say that at least 65% of Central Office is black employees. The people complaining about Central Office cannot fathom the fact that black people are in charge. We all know that certain people believe that just because someone is black, they are lazy and unqualified for their position. Case closed. Prove me wrong that this isn’t the reason for the disdain for Central Office. I’ll wait….

How could someone possibly "prove you wrong" when all you have done is assert with zero evidence that they're racist? Comments like this one really do not help. They just make people roll their eyes. More than 60% of teachers at my kids' school are black, so why would I be uniquely racist against CO employees when I like my kids teachers and think that they are good at their jobs? In fact, I'd be happy to nominate several of my kids' teachers to CO because I think they'd be great. Unlike most CO folks I've dealt with.

+1. According to DCPS, only 29% of teachers and only 15% of in-school leadership identified as white in 2024. So if your stat that 60% of DCPS CO staff are POCs are correct then DCPS CO staff are actually disproportionately white comparatively... meaning that all of the folks saying that in-school staff are better than CO staff and resources should be devoted to in-school positions are actually advocating for the whitest group to face cuts. Seems like the DCPS CO person on this thread didn't actually know their stats before accusing everyone of racism.

Which school? So funny how none of you will answer the question being put to you. What is your race and what is your school? I'm so obviously right that the posters demanding mass firings at the CO are white ladies whose kids go to school WOTP. Just admit it, then we can move on.

All DCPS schools. I am quoting DCPS' system wide stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's more than a hint of racism in many of these comments. I have no doubt that those calling for mass firings at DCPS are white.

Yup, I definitely see that and it is obvious. I would say that at least 65% of Central Office is black employees. The people complaining about Central Office cannot fathom the fact that black people are in charge. We all know that certain people believe that just because someone is black, they are lazy and unqualified for their position. Case closed. Prove me wrong that this isn’t the reason for the disdain for Central Office. I’ll wait….

How could someone possibly "prove you wrong" when all you have done is assert with zero evidence that they're racist? Comments like this one really do not help. They just make people roll their eyes. More than 60% of teachers at my kids' school are black, so why would I be uniquely racist against CO employees when I like my kids teachers and think that they are good at their jobs? In fact, I'd be happy to nominate several of my kids' teachers to CO because I think they'd be great. Unlike most CO folks I've dealt with.

+1. According to DCPS, only 29% of teachers and only 15% of in-school leadership identified as white in 2024. So if your stat that 60% of DCPS CO staff are POCs are correct then DCPS CO staff are actually disproportionately white comparatively... meaning that all of the folks saying that in-school staff are better than CO staff and resources should be devoted to in-school positions are actually advocating for the whitest group to face cuts. Seems like the DCPS CO person on this thread didn't actually know their stats before accusing everyone of racism.

Which school? So funny how none of you will answer the question being put to you. What is your race and what is your school? I'm so obviously right that the posters demanding mass firings at the CO are white ladies whose kids go to school WOTP. Just admit it, then we can move on.

You are the only one stuck.

well, your silence proves my point.

What point? That you're Black and some posters here are white?

What does that have yo do with whether CO is doing a good job -- or just doing a job?

I never said I'm black . . . interesting.

No, you didn't. Nor did anyone state their race, as it is irrelevant to the topic. But you seem to think it matters tremendously. And you seem to assume that anyone who thinks CO sucks is white, so I assume in return that you are not white, and orobably Black based on your assertion that DCPS has long been a path to MC for Blacks.

Whatever. This is pointless. View everything as all about race, or try to engage in productive discussion. You do you.

First, you make a lot of "assumptions," and they are incorrect, which again is interesting and says a lot about you.

Second, nothing when it comes to DCPS is unrelated to race.

Third, that DCPS employment has long been a path to the middle class for black DC residents isn't an "assertion." It's a fact.

You're living in a bubble and have many biases. You just don't see them.

So your point is CO is a jobs program, not a school system?

My point is that you are messing with people's livelihoods, and you shouldn't do that without good reason. And "good reason" isn't just that you don't think you're being well enough catered to in Upper Caucasia when in fact you are. It's a large system and not everything is about you.

Um, K12 education is fundamentally, very importantly "messing with people's lives"!

If cutting jobs at CO means better education at the schools or more funds for other essential city services like programs for youths, then hell yeah, go for it. I'm not worried about protecting any individual's job if the money can be better spent in terms if education or health & safety outcomes.

[Anonymous]

To turn this into a race conversation and asking ppl to state the zip code and race is problematic and part of my point.

With the budgets being slashed and dismantled I pray the solution is central office staff no matter the race contributing on the ground level. Stay for a while and help out daily. We need all hands on deck. I definitely don’t want ppl fired just repurposed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if part of CO duty was to substitute teach, pull reading small groups, tutor 1:1, plan in house field trips for schools, meet schools on field trips, model teaching for teachers especially new ones, cover lunch duty, help the teachers who are behind on pacing catch their class up. What if
The family engagement specialist who are mostly social workers got off the phone and dealt with the children with the major behaviors or stayed at the food banks after school.

Please stop thinking that uppercrust NW DCUM are writing these messages.

This is a time of major reset. This is all wishful thinking DCPS doesn’t read this and everyone is justified.

This is a fantastic idea. Especially given that many schools faced staffing cuts this year. DCPS is way too top heavy. And my child does not attend a WOTP school.

[Anonymous]

Stop race baiting. Just because a large proportion of Central Office staff are Black doesn’t make them immune from criticism. That’s absurd.

As a Latino classroom teacher, I can tell you I haven’t had any positive experiences with Central Office. They have only exacerbated the worst qualities of my school admin. But the main issues, I imagine as a PP mentioned, are DCPS leadership and the CO old guard, neither of whom are getting laid off. So folks hoping these layoffs will improve anything will, I think, be sorely disappointed. Still, layoffs mean that CO leaders and old guard will have fewer minions to sic on classroom teachers, and that’s a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell us more. Are most of the coaches gone b/c of funding?

Coaches are school based

Not ECE

That’s the one grade level at DCPS that does not have school based coaches. A friend of mine works on the ECE Team at Central and she said that her position was cut this week. She said that the Central ECE team will now only have 11 coaches to serve 80 schools.

So? They never help us any way. I have never heard an ECE colleague say their coach was helpful at any school. The ECE team lead (a teacher) is the one doing all the work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who doesn't think that comments like this are not racially tinged is fooling herself:

"Sorry, but every time I've encountered anyone from downtown I've found them exceptionally stupid and unhelpful."

It's harsh; even mean. But "racially-tinged"? That's a stretch.

They are full of it. I am black, not many people working in central are helpful. This goes for white, Latino, , Asian, etc.
There are a handful of people of all races who are helpful as well.

It has nothing to do with race. Sorry, being a POC doesn’t exclude from being stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's more than a hint of racism in many of these comments. I have no doubt that those calling for mass firings at DCPS are white.

Yup, I definitely see that and it is obvious. I would say that at least 65% of Central Office is black employees. The people complaining about Central Office cannot fathom the fact that black people are in charge. We all know that certain people believe that just because someone is black, they are lazy and unqualified for their position. Case closed. Prove me wrong that this isn’t the reason for the disdain for Central Office. I’ll wait….

Bingo. This right here. There are people who loathe at the fact that this district has mostly Black people making decisions and they can't stand it. There is nothing said about how fast the district is improving (faster than most urban districts in the nation), but chose to focus on negative opinions. Remember, public school is a choice. If you hate it so much, pay the private school big bucks. You can't have it both ways. Same for DCPS staff who are complaining. If you dislike it so much, resign. It's really that simple.