MOCO BOE update: Beidleman Report summary

[Anonymous]

I think it’s rich that the person who doesn’t like anyone calling out her friend for abuse is the first to fling mud at other administrators. They just don’t want the mud slung at THEIR person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:County Exec Elrich is calling for more direct county control and oversight of MCPS in light of the Beidleman debacle.

SOURCE: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/09/08/county-leaders-renew-push-for-oversight-on-education-spending/

A number of county leaders around the state say requirements to increase spending on education need to be coupled with greater authority for them to oversee that spending.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D), a former math teacher, said his relationship with his school system is sometimes frustrating and often relegates his role to being an ATM.

He and other county leaders are renewing a call for a larger role in overseeing how education dollars are spent.

“We do not have a truly cooperative, interactive relationship, at this point, but nobody does,” Elrich said. “Montgomery County is not unique. You’ll find these kinds of arguments all around the state between county governments and the local school boards. We’re like a money machine but we have no power in how the money gets tapped at some point.”

Education spending represents a large portion of county budgets. Montgomery County sends a total of $3 billion to its school system. In many counties, spending on education, including state aid, represents nearly half of the annual budget.

Implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a 10-year, multi-billion-dollar education reform plan, will require even more money from local governments.

“The county has no authority,” he said. “We can’t even, for example, look at a budget line item and say we don’t think you should do that program. We’re not going to fund that program and we want you to fund a different program. County has no ability to do that. We’re restricted to giving the school system the same amount of money that it had last year, adjusted for population growth and inflation. That’s our whopping authority over there.”

This! If it’s such a huge part of the council’s overall budget, why can’t they have more say? From the article, it sounds like other counties have more collaborative relationships with their schools systems that allow for greater input. More transparency is needed throughout MCPS and I hope other members of the council start voicing their support for this!

I’m all in favor giving the County Council more power over the school system including a line by line veto power to slim down the school budget. However, why has the County Council kept increasing the school budget more than what is legally required?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:County Exec Elrich is calling for more direct county control and oversight of MCPS in light of the Beidleman debacle.

SOURCE: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/09/08/county-leaders-renew-push-for-oversight-on-education-spending/

A number of county leaders around the state say requirements to increase spending on education need to be coupled with greater authority for them to oversee that spending.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D), a former math teacher, said his relationship with his school system is sometimes frustrating and often relegates his role to being an ATM.

He and other county leaders are renewing a call for a larger role in overseeing how education dollars are spent.

“We do not have a truly cooperative, interactive relationship, at this point, but nobody does,” Elrich said. “Montgomery County is not unique. You’ll find these kinds of arguments all around the state between county governments and the local school boards. We’re like a money machine but we have no power in how the money gets tapped at some point.”

Education spending represents a large portion of county budgets. Montgomery County sends a total of $3 billion to its school system. In many counties, spending on education, including state aid, represents nearly half of the annual budget.

Implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a 10-year, multi-billion-dollar education reform plan, will require even more money from local governments.

“The county has no authority,” he said. “We can’t even, for example, look at a budget line item and say we don’t think you should do that program. We’re not going to fund that program and we want you to fund a different program. County has no ability to do that. We’re restricted to giving the school system the same amount of money that it had last year, adjusted for population growth and inflation. That’s our whopping authority over there.”

This! If it’s such a huge part of the council’s overall budget, why can’t they have more say? From the article, it sounds like other counties have more collaborative relationships with their schools systems that allow for greater input. More transparency is needed throughout MCPS and I hope other members of the council start voicing their support for this!

I’m all in favor giving the County Council more power over the school system including a line by line veto power to slim down the school budget. However, why has the County Council kept increasing the school budget more than what is legally required?

Because MCPS holds MCEA (and therefore teachers) hostage. Only a fully funded budget equals the salaries and benefits that MCEA and MCPS agree to. Less than that and it’s fair game to make the teachers suffer and keep central office bloated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:County Exec Elrich is calling for more direct county control and oversight of MCPS in light of the Beidleman debacle.

SOURCE: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/09/08/county-leaders-renew-push-for-oversight-on-education-spending/

A number of county leaders around the state say requirements to increase spending on education need to be coupled with greater authority for them to oversee that spending.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D), a former math teacher, said his relationship with his school system is sometimes frustrating and often relegates his role to being an ATM.

He and other county leaders are renewing a call for a larger role in overseeing how education dollars are spent.

“We do not have a truly cooperative, interactive relationship, at this point, but nobody does,” Elrich said. “Montgomery County is not unique. You’ll find these kinds of arguments all around the state between county governments and the local school boards. We’re like a money machine but we have no power in how the money gets tapped at some point.”

Education spending represents a large portion of county budgets. Montgomery County sends a total of $3 billion to its school system. In many counties, spending on education, including state aid, represents nearly half of the annual budget.

Implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a 10-year, multi-billion-dollar education reform plan, will require even more money from local governments.

“The county has no authority,” he said. “We can’t even, for example, look at a budget line item and say we don’t think you should do that program. We’re not going to fund that program and we want you to fund a different program. County has no ability to do that. We’re restricted to giving the school system the same amount of money that it had last year, adjusted for population growth and inflation. That’s our whopping authority over there.”

This! If it’s such a huge part of the council’s overall budget, why can’t they have more say? From the article, it sounds like other counties have more collaborative relationships with their schools systems that allow for greater input. More transparency is needed throughout MCPS and I hope other members of the council start voicing their support for this!

I’m all in favor giving the County Council more power over the school system including a line by line veto power to slim down the school budget. However, why has the County Council kept increasing the school budget more than what is legally required?

Because MCPS holds MCEA (and therefore teachers) hostage. Only a fully funded budget equals the salaries and benefits that MCEA and MCPS agree to. Less than that and it’s fair game to make the teachers suffer and keep central office bloated.

That doesn't follow. They are free to force CO cuts whenever they want. Didn't they increase CO staffing by like 30% under McKnight? Clearly that's not helping so maybe it's time to revise this?

[Anonymous]

MCPS Releases “A Framework for Change”
https://montgomeryperspective.com/2023/10/17/mcps-releases-a-framework-for-change/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS Releases “A Framework for Change”
https://montgomeryperspective.com/2023/10/17/mcps-releases-a-framework-for-change/

Okay, some of these are pretty good assuming MCPS actually follows through. That's a big assumption, however, given that several of the "action points" listed were already meant to be MCPS policy, but were systematically not enforced. Specifically, there was already a process for receiving anonymous reports via SafeSchools and LightHouse, but MCPS had a policy of not reviewing those.

I would really love for the IG report to look at whether Dr. McKnight was aware of that policy.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe her solution to some of this is bringing back staff who retired in 2018. They've missed education during a pandemic, the entire audit process, the shift to structured literacy, the failings of Benchmark, etc. Sure they have proven to be great friends to her but what are they bringing to the table in today's VERY different public school environment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe her solution to some of this is bringing back staff who retired in 2018. They've missed education during a pandemic, the entire audit process, the shift to structured literacy, the failings of Benchmark, etc. Sure they have proven to be great friends to her but what are they bringing to the table in today's VERY different public school environment?

Hopefully they don't have to be plugged in for long, but I agree. Bringing back a bunch of old fogeys does not reassure me as a parent that all is well with MCPS. Though I'm sure their experience counts for something....I just don't know how transferrable it is in this post-pandemic environment where nothing is the same as it was before...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe her solution to some of this is bringing back staff who retired in 2018. They've missed education during a pandemic, the entire audit process, the shift to structured literacy, the failings of Benchmark, etc. Sure they have proven to be great friends to her but what are they bringing to the table in today's VERY different public school environment?

I think she is bringing back these retirees for a short time because she knows and trusts them. It will take a while to get permanent replacements for every position, so it seems fine to me as a temporary measure.

[Anonymous]

I think everyone here needs to just ignore the obvious troll. Let the adults continue the conversation, literally just ignore this person.

[Anonymous]

Let’s shut this board down if people with different opinions are not going to be accepted. SHUT IT DOWN 🤣
This board is becoming a joke. A bunch of lies, fabrication and gossip to ruin peoples lives.

[Anonymous]

The idea that they are just now proposing to use google or Maryland Judiciary case search is so frustrating. I thought that was addressed after the security guard who slept with the student who had issues in his previous school in New York that came up on google? Or was that only for new hires? Which, good gracious, what a stupid decision not to apply it to promotions.

I look up my child's teachers and administrators in Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Most entries are related to their personal lives (divorce, custody, etc.) but I've seen DUIs, many traffic offenses, and even long-ago criminal records.

[Anonymous]

You know what? I do think his life should be ruined. He effed around and he's finding out. Stop acting like you can act like a dime store Harvey Weinstein just because you're an MCPS principal. He's not that special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS Releases “A Framework for Change”
https://montgomeryperspective.com/2023/10/17/mcps-releases-a-framework-for-change/

Okay, some of these are pretty good assuming MCPS actually follows through. That's a big assumption, however, given that several of the "action points" listed were already meant to be MCPS policy, but were systematically not enforced. Specifically, there was already a process for receiving anonymous reports via SafeSchools and LightHouse, but MCPS had a policy of not reviewing those.

I would really love for the IG report to look at whether Dr. McKnight was aware of that policy.

This will be enforced as much as the code of conduct is enforced. Frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS Releases “A Framework for Change”
https://montgomeryperspective.com/2023/10/17/mcps-releases-a-framework-for-change/

Okay, some of these are pretty good assuming MCPS actually follows through. That's a big assumption, however, given that several of the "action points" listed were already meant to be MCPS policy, but were systematically not enforced. Specifically, there was already a process for receiving anonymous reports via SafeSchools and LightHouse, but MCPS had a policy of not reviewing those.

I would really love for the IG report to look at whether Dr. McKnight was aware of that policy.

This will be enforced as much as the code of conduct is enforced. Frustrating.

Ouch! That was a good zinger. The Code of Conduct is such a joke within MCPS.