MCPS gave County list of snow issues on Sunday at 2:13 pm. Under 2 hours later MCPS blamed County for Monday closure

[Anonymous]

Listening to County Council snow session now. Rich Madaleno stated in response to a question from Councilmember Balcombe that MCPS first formally communicated with the County a list of issues they needed fixed at 2:13pm in Sunday. Less than 2 hours later they send out a public message blaming the County for MCPS's decision to close on Monday.

[Anonymous]

I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

They were asleep because they didn't have to go to work at all. Code Red means everything is closed, and it was Code Red Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. GMAFB

[Anonymous]

Wait — the first time they communicated with the county about snow was on Sunday??

This is educational malpractice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

But but but they had to make an important video. Come on now, you know that was more important!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

They were asleep because they didn't have to go to work at all. Code Red means everything is closed, and it was Code Red Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. GMAFB

Seriously? Don’t public entities have a core of personnel that have to work to keep emergency operations going.

Contrast that with DC and Alexandria where they opened up on Wednesday including with food distribution sites.

I guess no one is holding MCPS accountable to a high standard. Or even a mediocre standard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait — the first time they communicated with the county about snow was on Sunday??

This is educational malpractice.

Mom and dad are fighting. Ick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

They were asleep because they didn't have to go to work at all. Code Red means everything is closed, and it was Code Red Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. GMAFB

Meanwhile, Taylor had time to make two videos to show his genuine excitement about the snow.

[Anonymous]

Discuss and let the county know where the $ should be spent. MARCH 16.
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1312524.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

They were asleep because they didn't have to go to work at all. Code Red means everything is closed, and it was Code Red Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. GMAFB

Seriously? Don’t public entities have a core of personnel that have to work to keep emergency operations going.

Contrast that with DC and Alexandria where they opened up on Wednesday including with food distribution sites.

I guess no one is holding MCPS accountable to a high standard. Or even a mediocre standard

So yes, their essential workers were working. But I have no idea who that does and does not include. Their office workers did not have to work, in person or virtually. While it's easy to think office workers are not needed in an emergency, they are ultimately the people that coordinate and communicate about responses like this. The fact they didn't reach out to the County until Sunday afternoon tells me whoever was responsible for making sure schools were ready to open was not working last week. Why would they? It was Code Red!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

They were asleep because they didn't have to go to work at all. Code Red means everything is closed, and it was Code Red Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. GMAFB

Meanwhile, Taylor had time to make two videos to show his genuine excitement about the snow.

You can make video. And assess whether MCPS is ready to actually de freeze this mess.

[Anonymous]

What a joke of a school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

They were asleep because they didn't have to go to work at all. Code Red means everything is closed, and it was Code Red Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. GMAFB

Seriously? Don’t public entities have a core of personnel that have to work to keep emergency operations going.

Contrast that with DC and Alexandria where they opened up on Wednesday including with food distribution sites.

I guess no one is holding MCPS accountable to a high standard. Or even a mediocre standard

Seriously please stop quoting this “DC and Alexandria where they opened up on Wednesday including with food distribution sites.” Clearly you have a hard on about those districts. MCPS has had food distributions sites open since last Wednesday.

And while I certainly think MCPS shoukd have communicated challenges more quickly, it's disingenuous for the county to act as if they don't understand what things are needed from them to ensure school can operate fully. They know sidewalks, bus stops, and space for buses to pass are needed. So really this is on everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

They were asleep because they didn't have to go to work at all. Code Red means everything is closed, and it was Code Red Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. GMAFB

Seriously? Don’t public entities have a core of personnel that have to work to keep emergency operations going.

Contrast that with DC and Alexandria where they opened up on Wednesday including with food distribution sites.

I guess no one is holding MCPS accountable to a high standard. Or even a mediocre standard

So yes, their essential workers were working. But I have no idea who that does and does not include. Their office workers did not have to work, in person or virtually. While it's easy to think office workers are not needed in an emergency, they are ultimately the people that coordinate and communicate about responses like this. The fact they didn't reach out to the County until Sunday afternoon tells me whoever was responsible for making sure schools were ready to open was not working last week. Why would they? It was Code Red!

Bingo. No wonder Sunday's MCPS school status message was uniquely worded and detailed compared to past ones. Tomorrow's delay message was sent out right as this thread picks up. lol their timing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I heard about that. I think MCPS was asleep at the wheel all of last week, not realizing that this snowstorm was different from all the other storms we've had, and that snowplows had great difficulty clearing the ice... and so MCPS panicked over the weekend when they realized parents would be furious if Monday wasn't open, and threw everyone under the bus. I noticed they blamed homeowners as well.

They were asleep because they didn't have to go to work at all. Code Red means everything is closed, and it was Code Red Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. GMAFB

Seriously? Don’t public entities have a core of personnel that have to work to keep emergency operations going.

Contrast that with DC and Alexandria where they opened up on Wednesday including with food distribution sites.

I guess no one is holding MCPS accountable to a high standard. Or even a mediocre standard

Seriously please stop quoting this “DC and Alexandria where they opened up on Wednesday including with food distribution sites.” Clearly you have a hard on about those districts. MCPS has had food distributions sites open since last Wednesday.

And while I certainly think MCPS shoukd have communicated challenges more quickly, it's disingenuous for the county to act as if they don't understand what things are needed from them to ensure school can operate fully. They know sidewalks, bus stops, and space for buses to pass are needed. So really this is on everyone.

I don't think think the county is responsible for clearing most school bus stops. Most are on private property. Some are on MCPS property.