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?

Found the study and apparently Silvestre claimed to only work 8-10 hours a week as a member, whereas most of the others said 25-60 hours. (She said she spent 30 hours as Board president and it sounds like she may have decreased her work hours at that time?) https://montgomerycountymd.gov/boards/Resources/Files/sites/becc/annual-reports/BECC-Annual-Report-2024.pdf pg 37-38

[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?

Found the study and apparently Silvestre claimed to only work 8-10 hours a week as a member, whereas most of the others said 25-60 hours. (She said she spent 30 hours as Board president and it sounds like she may have decreased her work hours at that time?) https://montgomerycountymd.gov/boards/Resources/Files/sites/becc/annual-reports/BECC-Annual-Report-2024.pdf pg 37-38

That would make sense looking at her behavior but the MC is clear she's being paid full-time. Its public information. I suspect she's not putting in the hours at MC as she's a liason for MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You aren't understanding. The State, not county decides the stipend and its a board, not central office. You are confusing what they do. County council is not equal. Central office runs MCPS and they just approve what central office decides to do without even looking into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You aren't understanding. The State, not county decides the stipend and its a board, not central office. You are confusing what they do. County council is not equal. Central office runs MCPS and they just approve what central office decides to do without even looking into it.

You are the one not understanding. I am aware the state has to make the changes to the BOE structure and I am advocating the state make those changes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You aren't understanding. The State, not county decides the stipend and its a board, not central office. You are confusing what they do. County council is not equal. Central office runs MCPS and they just approve what central office decides to do without even looking into it.

You are the one not understanding. I am aware the state has to make the changes to the BOE structure and I am advocating the state make those changes.

Why are you so insistent? As a BOE member, how about putting the time in to justify it. Its basically a volunteer job with a stipend. Don't like it or because you want more while double dipping, too bad. If anything they should fine the BOE for their poor decisions and financial mismanagement.

[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.

Soooo...you are in the "I don't want to pay for what I expect, but I'll keep complaining, anyway" camp?

Or, maybe, the "what I really want is for my idle, independently wealthy associates to be elected in numbers great enough to control the board, so I don't want to attract the competent opposition that might be drawn to run for BOE if reasonable compensation were to be in play for the time needed to do the job well" camp?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You aren't understanding. The State, not county decides the stipend and its a board, not central office. You are confusing what they do. County council is not equal. Central office runs MCPS and they just approve what central office decides to do without even looking into it.

You are the one not understanding. I am aware the state has to make the changes to the BOE structure and I am advocating the state make those changes.

Why are you so insistent? As a BOE member, how about putting the time in to justify it. Its basically a volunteer job with a stipend. Don't like it or because you want more while double dipping, too bad. If anything they should fine the BOE for their poor decisions and financial mismanagement.

The state legislature has to amend the code to adjust a county BOE's compensation because Maryland code is where this state job is defined (a county's BOE are employees of the state). However, they do so at the request of that county's delegation, which does so on the suggestion of a County Council resolution, with the understanding that the funds for BOE payment come from county coffers.

Many MD counties with much smaller/simpler school systems and much smaller coffers wouldn't want a salary-like compensation comparator of the MoCo BOE with which they might need to wrestle (they have a hard enough time maintaining their own at a couple thousand) in addition to their generally plying the conservative side of political waters. Their delegations, then, tend to combine to vote down the MoCo delegation request.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You aren't understanding. The State, not county decides the stipend and its a board, not central office. You are confusing what they do. County council is not equal. Central office runs MCPS and they just approve what central office decides to do without even looking into it.

You are the one not understanding. I am aware the state has to make the changes to the BOE structure and I am advocating the state make those changes.

Why are you so insistent? As a BOE member, how about putting the time in to justify it. Its basically a volunteer job with a stipend. Don't like it or because you want more while double dipping, too bad. If anything they should fine the BOE for their poor decisions and financial mismanagement.

The state legislature has to amend the code to adjust a county BOE's compensation because Maryland code is where this state job is defined (a county's BOE are employees of the state). However, they do so at the request of that county's delegation, which does so on the suggestion of a County Council resolution, with the understanding that the funds for BOE payment come from county coffers.

Many MD counties with much smaller/simpler school systems and much smaller coffers wouldn't want a salary-like compensation comparator of the MoCo BOE with which they might need to wrestle (they have a hard enough time maintaining their own at a couple thousand) in addition to their generally plying the conservative side of political waters. Their delegations, then, tend to combine to vote down the MoCo delegation request.

They tried this, wasting MCPS money and were told no. Let it go.

[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.

Soooo...you are in the "I don't want to pay for what I expect, but I'll keep complaining, anyway" camp?

Or, maybe, the "what I really want is for my idle, independently wealthy associates to be elected in numbers great enough to control the board, so I don't want to attract the competent opposition that might be drawn to run for BOE if reasonable compensation were to be in play for the time needed to do the job well" camp?

Who is competent who would run if paid more? Money is not the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You aren't understanding. The State, not county decides the stipend and its a board, not central office. You are confusing what they do. County council is not equal. Central office runs MCPS and they just approve what central office decides to do without even looking into it.

You are the one not understanding. I am aware the state has to make the changes to the BOE structure and I am advocating the state make those changes.

Why are you so insistent? As a BOE member, how about putting the time in to justify it. Its basically a volunteer job with a stipend. Don't like it or because you want more while double dipping, too bad. If anything they should fine the BOE for their poor decisions and financial mismanagement.

The state legislature has to amend the code to adjust a county BOE's compensation because Maryland code is where this state job is defined (a county's BOE are employees of the state). However, they do so at the request of that county's delegation, which does so on the suggestion of a County Council resolution, with the understanding that the funds for BOE payment come from county coffers.

Many MD counties with much smaller/simpler school systems and much smaller coffers wouldn't want a salary-like compensation comparator of the MoCo BOE with which they might need to wrestle (they have a hard enough time maintaining their own at a couple thousand) in addition to their generally plying the conservative side of political waters. Their delegations, then, tend to combine to vote down the MoCo delegation request.

They tried this, wasting MCPS money and were told no. Let it go.

When were they told no?

[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.

Soooo...you are in the "I don't want to pay for what I expect, but I'll keep complaining, anyway" camp?

Or, maybe, the "what I really want is for my idle, independently wealthy associates to be elected in numbers great enough to control the board, so I don't want to attract the competent opposition that might be drawn to run for BOE if reasonable compensation were to be in play for the time needed to do the job well" camp?

Who is competent who would run if paid more? Money is not the issue.

You don't think that among the million MoCo residents, we could find 7 smart, strong people who care about education and are willing to hold Central Office accountable to improving the school system for our kids? Really?

[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.

Soooo...you are in the "I don't want to pay for what I expect, but I'll keep complaining, anyway" camp?

Or, maybe, the "what I really want is for my idle, independently wealthy associates to be elected in numbers great enough to control the board, so I don't want to attract the competent opposition that might be drawn to run for BOE if reasonable compensation were to be in play for the time needed to do the job well" camp?

Who is competent who would run if paid more? Money is not the issue.

Why didn't I think of that?! Nobody really cares about money. That's why nobody gets upset when taxes go up! It certainly can't be used to do anything like, say, incentivise dedicating time to the common good when, if not reasonably compensated, that time alternately might be spent providing for one's family.

(Of course, the way we've treated the dollar over the past 50 years, it's not like it should be considered a store of value...)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You aren't understanding. The State, not county decides the stipend and its a board, not central office. You are confusing what they do. County council is not equal. Central office runs MCPS and they just approve what central office decides to do without even looking into it.

You are the one not understanding. I am aware the state has to make the changes to the BOE structure and I am advocating the state make those changes.

Why are you so insistent? As a BOE member, how about putting the time in to justify it. Its basically a volunteer job with a stipend. Don't like it or because you want more while double dipping, too bad. If anything they should fine the BOE for their poor decisions and financial mismanagement.

The state legislature has to amend the code to adjust a county BOE's compensation because Maryland code is where this state job is defined (a county's BOE are employees of the state). However, they do so at the request of that county's delegation, which does so on the suggestion of a County Council resolution, with the understanding that the funds for BOE payment come from county coffers.

Many MD counties with much smaller/simpler school systems and much smaller coffers wouldn't want a salary-like compensation comparator of the MoCo BOE with which they might need to wrestle (they have a hard enough time maintaining their own at a couple thousand) in addition to their generally plying the conservative side of political waters. Their delegations, then, tend to combine to vote down the MoCo delegation request.

They tried this, wasting MCPS money and were told no. Let it go.

The initiative failed because state delegates were jealous that BOE candidates would get full-time status and pay before them. It had nothing to do with the merits of the argument and everything to do with ego, jealousy and petty politics.

[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.

Soooo...you are in the "I don't want to pay for what I expect, but I'll keep complaining, anyway" camp?

Or, maybe, the "what I really want is for my idle, independently wealthy associates to be elected in numbers great enough to control the board, so I don't want to attract the competent opposition that might be drawn to run for BOE if reasonable compensation were to be in play for the time needed to do the job well" camp?

Who is competent who would run if paid more? Money is not the issue.

This is a ridiculous argument. Are you seriously a list of people who are saying they would run if the compensation was increased before you would support the initiative?

Money and time is absolutely a huge barrier for why many school board races are not competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Soooo...you are in the "I don't want to pay for what I expect, but I'll keep complaining, anyway" camp?

Or, maybe, the "what I really want is for my idle, independently wealthy associates to be elected in numbers great enough to control the board, so I don't want to attract the competent opposition that might be drawn to run for BOE if reasonable compensation were to be in play for the time needed to do the job well" camp?

Who is competent who would run if paid more? Money is not the issue.

You don't think that among the million MoCo residents, we could find 7 smart, strong people who care about education and are willing to hold Central Office accountable to improving the school system for our kids? Really?

+1

Seriously. What an utterly absurd claim to make.