Who is Mike Durso?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MoCo 360 article on response and reaction to the Durso hire: https://moco360.media/2024/01/10/michael-dursos-long-history-with-mcps-draws-pointed-reactions-to-his-new-role/

Ooh, nice quotes from Starr himself

Nice? Humph. Many system employeees supported the decision to not renew Starr; just sounds like a bitter former employee.

We haven't had true effective leadership since Weast left. The decline in MCPS standing started back then and just continues to plummet.

Durso is a senior, that's a fact. MCPS is in crisis mode and he is willing to step up. He is brutally honest and that is what is needed right now with senior leadership. If not Durso, then who?

Nonsense! When Weest was super the demographics of the county were very different. Today things have changed. The school system provides the same quality education as ever.

Yes, they've changed over time and with each new Super, the system got worse while being in keeping with those current times. It is what it is!

Test averages have gone down corresponding with changing demographic trends that are more of a national issue than the county. The quality of education available as vastly better than when I was in MCPS 30 years ago even if overall averages are lower.

Bizarre statement

How so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He is a truly wonderful, competent, capable educator who genuinely cares about students, staff, and the community as a whole. Many years ago, he was an assistant principal at FKA Wilson HS. He had the respect and the affection of the students— a rare skill that speaks well of him. The more I’ve worked in education, the more I respect “Durso” as I’ve learned more about his career. So, yeah, my opinions are based on very dated first hand experiences, and less dated secondhand information, but as a Montgomery County resident, I’m happy to have my tax dollars spent to hire people with his expertise and experience.

I’d rather have my tax dollars go to paying a competent superintendent who can fulfill her job description rather than needing to spend more money to fill the gaps in her performance

THIS.

Brian Stockton was chief of staff for only 18 months. His "reason" for leaving - a brand-new, long-distance marriage with a spouse who suddenly seemed too far away? Gotta wonder about this. How many executive staff has McKnight gone through in her reign of error? This system can't gain traction if she can't hold onto leadership staff, which she can't do because she terrorizes people. We have way more "acting" management than we should have.

When if the BOE going to say enough?

Is Arlington Virginia too far away??

https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/ (https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/)
 
watch 24:00 – 25:24

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He is a truly wonderful, competent, capable educator who genuinely cares about students, staff, and the community as a whole. Many years ago, he was an assistant principal at FKA Wilson HS. He had the respect and the affection of the students— a rare skill that speaks well of him. The more I’ve worked in education, the more I respect “Durso” as I’ve learned more about his career. So, yeah, my opinions are based on very dated first hand experiences, and less dated secondhand information, but as a Montgomery County resident, I’m happy to have my tax dollars spent to hire people with his expertise and experience.

I’d rather have my tax dollars go to paying a competent superintendent who can fulfill her job description rather than needing to spend more money to fill the gaps in her performance

THIS.

Brian Stockton was chief of staff for only 18 months. His "reason" for leaving - a brand-new, long-distance marriage with a spouse who suddenly seemed too far away? Gotta wonder about this. How many executive staff has McKnight gone through in her reign of error? This system can't gain traction if she can't hold onto leadership staff, which she can't do because she terrorizes people. We have way more "acting" management than we should have.

When if the BOE going to say enough?

Is Arlington Virginia too far away??

https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/ (https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/)
 
watch 24:00 – 25:24

So much for moving away to be with a wife who lived a long distance away. But good for him, Stockton was with Arlington Public Schools before moving to MCPS, and they loved him in Arlington. He moved for the much higher salary that he received with MCPS (same job, in a larger district).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He is a truly wonderful, competent, capable educator who genuinely cares about students, staff, and the community as a whole. Many years ago, he was an assistant principal at FKA Wilson HS. He had the respect and the affection of the students— a rare skill that speaks well of him. The more I’ve worked in education, the more I respect “Durso” as I’ve learned more about his career. So, yeah, my opinions are based on very dated first hand experiences, and less dated secondhand information, but as a Montgomery County resident, I’m happy to have my tax dollars spent to hire people with his expertise and experience.

I’d rather have my tax dollars go to paying a competent superintendent who can fulfill her job description rather than needing to spend more money to fill the gaps in her performance

THIS.

Brian Stockton was chief of staff for only 18 months. His "reason" for leaving - a brand-new, long-distance marriage with a spouse who suddenly seemed too far away? Gotta wonder about this. How many executive staff has McKnight gone through in her reign of error? This system can't gain traction if she can't hold onto leadership staff, which she can't do because she terrorizes people. We have way more "acting" management than we should have.

When if the BOE going to say enough?

Is Arlington Virginia too far away??

https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/ (https://www.apsva.us/arlington-school-board/school-board-meetings/watch-school-board-meetings/)
 
watch 24:00 – 25:24

LMAO Chris Cram and MCPS caught in another lie. How pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Mike Durso has left the chief of staff position. New acting chief is Henry Johnson, who had the same job under Jack Smith.

https://moco360.media/2024/02/13/acting-mcps-chief-of-staff-michael-durso-departs-amid-leadership-changes/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mike Durso has left the chief of staff position. New acting chief is Henry Johnson, who had the same job under Jack Smith.

https://moco360.media/2024/02/13/acting-mcps-chief-of-staff-michael-durso-departs-amid-leadership-changes/

And the game of musical chairs just keeps going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mike Durso has left the chief of staff position. New acting chief is Henry Johnson, who had the same job under Jack Smith.

https://moco360.media/2024/02/13/acting-mcps-chief-of-staff-michael-durso-departs-amid-leadership-changes/

And who, like Smith, works for the firm that MCPS usually uses to find superintendents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mike Durso has left the chief of staff position. New acting chief is Henry Johnson, who had the same job under Jack Smith.

https://moco360.media/2024/02/13/acting-mcps-chief-of-staff-michael-durso-departs-amid-leadership-changes/

And who, like Smith, works for the firm that MCPS usually uses to find superintendents.

And who, like Smith, was part of the dysfunctional top executive culture in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mike Durso has left the chief of staff position. New acting chief is Henry Johnson, who had the same job under Jack Smith.

https://moco360.media/2024/02/13/acting-mcps-chief-of-staff-michael-durso-departs-amid-leadership-changes/

Johnson was principal of Northwood, and I liked him. CO staff could speak to what he was like at central office, but I found him to be thoughtful.