How Come BOE Candidate Stephen Austin Won’t Say What His Employment Is??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Not really. Every one of the other candidates with more experience with MCPS than Steve Austin - which is basically all of the other candidates - has plenty of experience questioning MCPS.

Only Austin said that the superintendent's contract should not have been renewed.

Only Austin stated that he only wants to look within a single cluster when dealing with overcrowded schools, and not adjacent clusters. That is not good fiscal management. Status quo is more important to him and Austin followers than financial accountability. Again, that's not "shaking things up". IMO, BOE seems to want to shake things up when dealing with overcrowded schools and boundary. Austin and his supporters are mad that they are shaking things up. And spare me the "no, it's because they were not transparent". Even if they were, I seriously doubt you still want to look at adjacent clusters when dealing with overcrowded schools and boundary analysis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Not really. Every one of the other candidates with more experience with MCPS than Steve Austin - which is basically all of the other candidates - has plenty of experience questioning MCPS.

Only Austin said that the superintendent's contract should not have been renewed.

Only Austin stated that he only wants to look within a single cluster when dealing with overcrowded schools, and not adjacent clusters. That is not good fiscal management. Status quo is more important to him and Austin followers than financial accountability. Again, that's not "shaking things up". IMO, BOE seems to want to shake things up when dealing with overcrowded schools and boundary. Austin and his supporters are mad that they are shaking things up. And spare me the "no, it's because they were not transparent". Even if they were, I seriously doubt you still want to look at adjacent clusters when dealing with overcrowded schools and boundary analysis.

Sure. BOE shook things up in Clarksburg and Germantown. Clarksburg students will go to school in Germantown, and Germantown students will go to school in Clarksburg.

People saw this, didn't like this, and revolted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Not really. Every one of the other candidates with more experience with MCPS than Steve Austin - which is basically all of the other candidates - has plenty of experience questioning MCPS.

Only Austin said that the superintendent's contract should not have been renewed.

Only Austin stated that he only wants to look within a single cluster when dealing with overcrowded schools, and not adjacent clusters. That is not good fiscal management. Status quo is more important to him and Austin followers than financial accountability. Again, that's not "shaking things up". IMO, BOE seems to want to shake things up when dealing with overcrowded schools and boundary. Austin and his supporters are mad that they are shaking things up. And spare me the "no, it's because they were not transparent". Even if they were, I seriously doubt you still want to look at adjacent clusters when dealing with overcrowded schools and boundary analysis.

Sure. BOE shook things up in Clarksburg and Germantown. Clarksburg students will go to school in Germantown, and Germantown students will go to school in Clarksburg.

People saw this, didn't like this, and revolted.

Exactly.. that's my point. Austin and his supporters do not want to look at adjacent clusters to alleviate overcrowding. They'd rather have their kids in overcrowded schools or spend finite funds on building new schools/wings -- that's not fiscally responsible.

And they don't want neighborhood schools. There are some neighborhoods in the W clusters that are not zoned for their closest school, but rather bused further away, maybe even further away than the what happened up county.

There are currently Potomac addresses that are zoned for Rockville schools. So, what happened up county is not new.

This is one county. Why would you assume that your house zip code should match your school zip code? That's dumb, and that certainly isn't happening right now. But if that's what you want, then some of those neighborhoods in the W clusters need to be moved. Right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Not really. Every one of the other candidates with more experience with MCPS than Steve Austin - which is basically all of the other candidates - has plenty of experience questioning MCPS.

Only Austin said that the superintendent's contract should not have been renewed.

Only Austin stated that he only wants to look within a single cluster when dealing with overcrowded schools, and not adjacent clusters. That is not good fiscal management. Status quo is more important to him and Austin followers than financial accountability. Again, that's not "shaking things up". IMO, BOE seems to want to shake things up when dealing with overcrowded schools and boundary. Austin and his supporters are mad that they are shaking things up. And spare me the "no, it's because they were not transparent". Even if they were, I seriously doubt you still want to look at adjacent clusters when dealing with overcrowded schools and boundary analysis.

Sure. BOE shook things up in Clarksburg and Germantown. Clarksburg students will go to school in Germantown, and Germantown students will go to school in Clarksburg.

People saw this, didn't like this, and revolted.

This has been going on since 2006.

Before that, Clarksburg and Germantown students went to school in Damascus: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/regulatoryaccountability/glance/fy2005/schools/04701map.pdf

[Anonymous]

It seems one member of the School Board who cares more about neighborhood schools isn't going to keep the BOE from pushing their disastrous agenda.

But they'll fight like hell to keep him off because they don't want any dissent or anyone even asking questions.

[Anonymous]

Are you kidding? I will not take that risk for a candidate just talk but without any experience relative to education and Volunteer work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The difference is the president has absolute power in certain areas. The BOE is one of 7 (8 with SMOB, right?). One rogue board member can't do much unless they convince a few others of their side. I like the alternative viewpoint Austin may bring. Why do so many BOE votes end up unanimous? It shows they're all a bunch of yes-women. MoCo values diversity, let's get some viewpoint diversity also.

So you're ok with voting for a rogue board member (your term), because he'll be ineffective, too?

We need a diversity of viewpoints, including the viewpoint of a person who has no experience with the system they're supported to be overseeing?

I just don't get it.

I'm saying worst case scenario. I think he's competent, and I thikn he's good at financial stuff. I also think even if he's mediocre at those, he'll be better at those than any current board members. We don't need more ex-teachers on the board --we have plenty of those already.

Worst case: he's incompetent and is the lone dissenting vote
Best case: he pushes for more financial controls and auditing, and convinces other board members that's worthwhile so it passes

I'm willing to take that risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems one member of the School Board who cares more about neighborhood schools isn't going to keep the BOE from pushing their disastrous agenda.

But they'll fight like hell to keep him off because they don't want any dissent or anyone even asking questions.

He doesn't care about "neighborhood schools," he cares about maintaining the current boundaries.

Take a look at these boundaries, for example. What's "neighborhood school" about them?

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/RidgeviewMS.pdf
http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/RosemontES.pdf
http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/WoottonHS.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems one member of the School Board who cares more about neighborhood schools isn't going to keep the BOE from pushing their disastrous agenda.

But they'll fight like hell to keep him off because they don't want any dissent or anyone even asking questions.

He doesn't care about "neighborhood schools," he cares about maintaining the current boundaries.

Take a look at these boundaries, for example. What's "neighborhood school" about them?

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/RidgeviewMS.pdf
http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/RosemontES.pdf
http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/WoottonHS.pdf

+1 Potomac Glen is zoned for Churchill which is much further away than Wootton. Heck, I live closer to Churchill than PG does, and we aren't even zoned for Churchill, and before people accuse me of being self serving.. no, we like our cluster, too, but some of the current boundaries are definitely not neighborhood schools.

[Anonymous]

I just don’t understand why he is constantly, and I mean repeatedly kicking African American and Hispanic people out of his FB campaign group. That really rubs me wrong way. I’m white and was given access immediately; however, I have three African American women who I am friendly with at my school as well as my sister in law. We discussed the boundary analysis generally and were initially concerned based upon what he was saying. All four sought access to the group. Three were denied and one was kicked out after one day and she never posted anything! She even showed me her phone to show the timeline. I even went as far to ask two of my other white friends to request membership in the group, they were granted access within minutes and were never kicked out. I’ve heard this same story on Nextdoor and in another neighborhood list serv I am on.

I really don’t have an explanation for it and the members in that group have said some pretty racist stuff. I’m still in it but don’t post. And honesty don’t think that just because the group is large that all of those people support him. The group got started on an issue - the boundary analysis - and people were curious but it’s pretty dormant and sleepy. There is only a core group of like 10 people who are always kissing his arse and agreeing with him like Steven Tvardek who goes back and forth with anyone who disagrees with Austin. In fact he’s probably in thread now arguing with people and sockpuppeting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm saying worst case scenario. I think he's competent, and I thikn he's good at financial stuff. I also think even if he's mediocre at those, he'll be better at those than any current board members. We don't need more ex-teachers on the board --we have plenty of those already.

Worst case: he's incompetent and is the lone dissenting vote
Best case: he pushes for more financial controls and auditing, and convinces other board members that's worthwhile so it passes

I'm willing to take that risk.

It all boils down to this, if you think MCPS is going in the right direction, vote for one of the equity candidates.

If you think MCPS is going in the wrong direction, vote for Stephen Austin.

Just look at the response from the candidates for question 7. Austin is the only that says that Jack Smith should not have been retained.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2020-primary-voters-guide/montgomery-county-board-of-education-at-large/

Agree with these two PPs.

I’ll be voting for Austin.

I do like Chaudary and Pavel (can’t spell their names) but don’t think they have a chance.

So Austin has my vote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Agree with these two PPs.

I’ll be voting for Austin.

I do like Chaudary and Pavel (can’t spell their names) but don’t think they have a chance.

So Austin has my vote.

He has the all-important Robin Ficker endorsement, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm saying worst case scenario. I think he's competent, and I thikn he's good at financial stuff. I also think even if he's mediocre at those, he'll be better at those than any current board members. We don't need more ex-teachers on the board --we have plenty of those already.

Worst case: he's incompetent and is the lone dissenting vote
Best case: he pushes for more financial controls and auditing, and convinces other board members that's worthwhile so it passes

I'm willing to take that risk.

It all boils down to this, if you think MCPS is going in the right direction, vote for one of the equity candidates.

If you think MCPS is going in the wrong direction, vote for Stephen Austin.

Just look at the response from the candidates for question 7. Austin is the only that says that Jack Smith should not have been retained.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2020-primary-voters-guide/montgomery-county-board-of-education-at-large/

Agree with these two PPs.

I’ll be voting for Austin.

I do like Chaudary and Pavel (can’t spell their names) but don’t think they have a chance.

So Austin has my vote.

Right.. so you want "status quo" for boundaries and overcrowded schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t understand why he is constantly, and I mean repeatedly kicking African American and Hispanic people out of his FB campaign group. That really rubs me wrong way. I’m white and was given access immediately; however, I have three African American women who I am friendly with at my school as well as my sister in law. We discussed the boundary analysis generally and were initially concerned based upon what he was saying. All four sought access to the group. Three were denied and one was kicked out after one day and she never posted anything! She even showed me her phone to show the timeline. I even went as far to ask two of my other white friends to request membership in the group, they were granted access within minutes and were never kicked out. I’ve heard this same story on Nextdoor and in another neighborhood list serv I am on.

I really don’t have an explanation for it and the members in that group have said some pretty racist stuff. I’m still in it but don’t post. And honesty don’t think that just because the group is large that all of those people support him. The group got started on an issue - the boundary analysis - and people were curious but it’s pretty dormant and sleepy. There is only a core group of like 10 people who are always kissing his arse and agreeing with him like Steven Tvardek who goes back and forth with anyone who disagrees with Austin. In fact he’s probably in thread now arguing with people and sockpuppeting

He only wants people who agree with his agenda and are like him. He kicks whites out too. He is an equal opportunity with those things.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, woman of color here! I'm a member of Stephen's group. Never been kicked out and no matter how much you guys try to throw crap at Stephen it's not going to stick. He is a good and honorable man. I don't know why you all are hell-bent on moving OTHER PEOPLE'S kids around. It's really none of your business. Please go and volunteer your time and do good for Montgomery County instead of fomenting division and destroying goodwill. This has already backfired spectacularly. We were completely oblivious to county politics and just kept our heads down and kept paying our rising taxes. You have no poked the bear and he's not going back to sleep.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just don’t understand why he is constantly, and I mean repeatedly kicking African American and Hispanic people out of his FB campaign group. That really rubs me wrong way. I’m white and was given access immediately; however, I have three African American women who I am friendly with at my school as well as my sister in law. We discussed the boundary analysis generally and were initially concerned based upon what he was saying. All four sought access to the group. Three were denied and one was kicked out after one day and she never posted anything! She even showed me her phone to show the timeline. I even went as far to ask two of my other white friends to request membership in the group, they were granted access within minutes and were never kicked out. I’ve heard this same story on Nextdoor and in another neighborhood list serv I am on.

I really don’t have an explanation for it and the members in that group have said some pretty racist stuff. I’m still in it but don’t post. And honesty don’t think that just because the group is large that all of those people support him. The group got started on an issue - the boundary analysis - and people were curious but it’s pretty dormant and sleepy. There is only a core group of like 10 people who are always kissing his arse and agreeing with him like Steven Tvardek who goes back and forth with anyone who disagrees with Austin. In fact he’s probably in thread now arguing with people and sockpuppeting

He only wants people who agree with his agenda and are like him. He kicks whites out too. He is an equal opportunity with those things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, woman of color here! I'm a member of Stephen's group. Never been kicked out and no matter how much you guys try to throw crap at Stephen it's not going to stick. He is a good and honorable man. I don't know why you all are hell-bent on moving OTHER PEOPLE'S kids around. It's really none of your business. Please go and volunteer your time and do good for Montgomery County instead of fomenting division and destroying goodwill. This has already backfired spectacularly. We were completely oblivious to county politics and just kept our heads down and kept paying our rising taxes. You have no poked the bear and he's not going back to sleep.

That's the "it's never happened to me, so it hasn't happened" argument.

Steve Austin is running for a seat on the Montgomery County Board of Education, which oversees Montgomery County Public Schools. Not your school or my school. Not your child or my child. Our schools, and our children.

I do agree with your call for people to go and volunteer their time. Most of the other candidates have done just that. Steve Austin has not.

(Parenthetically, it's interesting how often someone on DCUM will respond to a comment specifically related to the specific experiences of black/African-American people with "As a person of color, I..." Probably, if they were black/African-American themselves, they'd say so, instead of saying " as a [non-specific] person of color, I..."?)