Why can't MoCo be broken into smaller geographic snow zones?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is that Maryland requires schools to be run by counties. As we have students who move all throughout the county and busses who run through different parts, it would be impossible to separate.

We need Maryland to allow smaller school zones so that Montgomery county does not all have to be grouped together.

But why? Why does Maryland require that and
1. Is it a misinterpretation to think "counties must run district equals each county can only run 1 district " and
2. Why not change it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is that Maryland requires schools to be run by counties. As we have students who move all throughout the county and busses who run through different parts, it would be impossible to separate.

We need Maryland to allow smaller school zones so that Montgomery county does not all have to be grouped together.

But why? Why does Maryland require that and
1. Is it a misinterpretation to think "counties must run district equals each county can only run 1 district " and
2. Why not change it

Counties have a government structure that can levy taxes for schools. That's the primary source of funding for public schools. Changing that would be incredibly difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is that Maryland requires schools to be run by counties. As we have students who move all throughout the county and busses who run through different parts, it would be impossible to separate.

We need Maryland to allow smaller school zones so that Montgomery county does not all have to be grouped together.

But why? Why does Maryland require that and
1. Is it a misinterpretation to think "counties must run district equals each county can only run 1 district " and
2. Why not change it

"The geographical boundary of each county school system is the same as the geographical boundary of the county."

Seems pretty clear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue is that Maryland requires schools to be run by counties. As we have students who move all throughout the county and busses who run through different parts, it would be impossible to separate.

We need Maryland to allow smaller school zones so that Montgomery county does not all have to be grouped together.

But why? Why does Maryland require that and
1. Is it a misinterpretation to think "counties must run district equals each county can only run 1 district " and
2. Why not change it

Because they can and they do.

[Anonymous]

Years ago when I was a kid Baltimore County, the "Hereford Zone" in the Nothern part of the county had its snow delays/closings announced separately.

Often in the southern part of Baltimore County where I lived we'd be two hours late but the Hereford Zone would be closed.

Everybody was jealous of the kids in the Hereford Zone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This comes up all the time. Many kids go to school outside of the cluster. Some have chosen to do that but some are bussed for special ed needs. There are also teachers and specialists that work in multiple schools in different clusters. It snows so rarely that I do not think the complications are worth it.

I do think people have very high standards for clearing snow.

Agree. It's not worth trying to break up the county into multiple zones for several reasons but there's a lot of fear over walking or driving when there is any snow/ice, even days after a storm has passed. And people think they are entiled to time off for storm cleanup- I had a co-worker ask if they could get admin leave for shoveling their driveway. WTF!

[Anonymous]

Seriously? Do you believe that the teachers, cafeteria staff, secretaries, building services staff and bus drivers all live within 2-/5 miles of the school/and have the same commute to the building as your child? No, many live much farther away, and they might have gotten more snow/ice than you and can't safely get to school.

[Anonymous]

You helped me get my first snow day bingo! Much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? Do you believe that the teachers, cafeteria staff, secretaries, building services staff and bus drivers all live within 2-/5 miles of the school/and have the same commute to the building as your child? No, many live much farther away, and they might have gotten more snow/ice than you and can't safely get to school.

This is a weird excuse when a lot of people in the DMV commute across school districts. It certainly isn't unique to teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? Do you believe that the teachers, cafeteria staff, secretaries, building services staff and bus drivers all live within 2-/5 miles of the school/and have the same commute to the building as your child? No, many live much farther away, and they might have gotten more snow/ice than you and can't safely get to school.

This is a weird excuse when a lot of people in the DMV commute across school districts. It certainly isn't unique to teachers.

This. My DH left to commute to his job in VA an hour ago, allowing extra time to get there.

Teachers in DCPS commute from all over too and they are opening today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? Do you believe that the teachers, cafeteria staff, secretaries, building services staff and bus drivers all live within 2-/5 miles of the school/and have the same commute to the building as your child? No, many live much farther away, and they might have gotten more snow/ice than you and can't safely get to school.

This is a weird excuse when a lot of people in the DMV commute across school districts. It certainly isn't unique to teachers.

This. My DH left to commute to his job in VA an hour ago, allowing extra time to get there.

Teachers in DCPS commute from all over too and they are opening today.

And mine went to Frederick on <gasp> Monday! And survived to tell the tale. The tale of frozen water. Also known as the sky falling by MoCo residents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? Do you believe that the teachers, cafeteria staff, secretaries, building services staff and bus drivers all live within 2-/5 miles of the school/and have the same commute to the building as your child? No, many live much farther away, and they might have gotten more snow/ice than you and can't safely get to school.

The main roads are fine

[Anonymous]

So what’s the thinking for Thursday/Friday? Delayed both? Closed again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what’s the thinking for Thursday/Friday? Delayed both? Closed again?

They're just going to call it on the rest of the year. It's too hard to open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every other district in the area is closed. This is about where you live and the relative local tolerance for snow, not anything to do with how MCPS is structured. Go further north or west and you'll see more tolerance, go further south and you'll see less.

How about more than 2 snow days