Changes since Taylor came onboard

[Anonymous]

Any positive changes everyone has seen since Dr Taylor joined MCPS? I have seen:

1. Quick decisions regarding school open and closing (yes, he had to roll back the one decision, but I general getting info to parents sooner is a plus)

2. Quick response to issues - example is quick and ongoing response at Wootton

3. More transparency- community meetings regarding budget

What else have people seen? What would people like to see?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any positive changes everyone has seen since Dr Taylor joined MCPS? I have seen:

1. Quick decisions regarding school open and closing (yes, he had to roll back the one decision, but I general getting info to parents sooner is a plus)

2. Quick response to issues - example is quick and ongoing response at Wootton

3. More transparency- community meetings regarding budget

What else have people seen? What would people like to see?

The only thing I can think of is using social media more and addressing reality of budget.

#1 is debatable, #2 I have heard anything about except the initial response and #3 has happened previously.

[Anonymous]

There is been little true transparency. If there was he'd show line by line spending in MCPS. He really hasn't made any changes. Its all for show. School safety, academics, etc. are all still bad.

[Anonymous]

He’s having Magruder HS renamed. Wonder when he’ll have Richard Montgomery renamed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He’s having Magruder HS renamed. Wonder when he’ll have Richard Montgomery renamed.

He didn’t initiate that - the community did. Same opportunity exists for the RM community if they want.

[Anonymous]

I watched the most recent budget working meeting. I thought Taylor had really good points about financial management, the lack of training for principals, and the need for project management training in general for central office folks. A lot of the budgetary and contract mismanagement over the past tens years happened because there aren’t clear processes for oversight internally. I’m happy he’s working to improve that.

[Anonymous]

I am primarily concerned with the curriculum and actual instruction. Both are in need of desperate attention.

I’d also like to see action to clean up and ensure safety in the restrooms at middle and high schools. Anyone else have kids (particularly boys) who avoid the bathrooms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am primarily concerned with the curriculum and actual instruction. Both are in need of desperate attention.

I’d also like to see action to clean up and ensure safety in the restrooms at middle and high schools. Anyone else have kids (particularly boys) who avoid the bathrooms?

Agree. I’m particularly concerned about HS English. The “new and improved” 9th grade curriculum that MCPS staff wrote is terrible. And since everyone takes the honors version there is no ability to give students more challenge through a true honors class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He’s having Magruder HS renamed. Wonder when he’ll have Richard Montgomery renamed.

He didn’t initiate that - the community did. Same opportunity exists for the RM community if they want.

True. Class sizes were increased. Amazing that mcps has $650k to spend to rename a school in a school system with such a budget deficit.

[Anonymous]

More of the same with this guy. No focus on teaching and learning, just corrupt district leaders creating barriers to learning by creating initiatives that they think will make the public like them more. It’s like a terrible tv show. It’s The Office.

[Anonymous]

I mean, enough with the funny rap videos. It's not doing what you think it's doing. Also, any money spent on this and that initiative is less money to decrease class sizes. Please, get back to the basics!

[Anonymous]

I am surprised by how little he had done since he came on board. I know he is making high-up central office staff reapply for their jobs — what is the timing of that? They all seem to be in place still. Maybe things will change after that happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More of the same with this guy. No focus on teaching and learning, just corrupt district leaders creating barriers to learning by creating initiatives that they think will make the public like them more. It’s like a terrible tv show. It’s The Office.

+1

[Anonymous]

It's good to see a superintendent finally acknowledging that special education needs more resources and staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I watched the most recent budget working meeting. I thought Taylor had really good points about financial management, the lack of training for principals, and the need for project management training in general for central office folks. A lot of the budgetary and contract mismanagement over the past tens years happened because there aren’t clear processes for oversight internally. I’m happy he’s working to improve that.

A few decades late but ok