BoE--We voted for them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many people are upset with the state of MCPS. From the boundary study, the new regional programs, the lack of resources, the lack of AP classes in certain schools, the lack of safety, and the list goes on. So why don't people do something about it. In East Ramapo, NY, the Haredi Jews won enough seats to change the way the school board operates. I don't agree with the changes that they made, but they wanted change and the majority came out and voted for those that would make the changes. It also required people to stand up and say -- I will run on our platform.

If we're all so upset with the changes MCPS is making, why does no one stand up and say I want change?

Why not me?---I want to get more involved. But honestly, I don't know how. I can attend a board meeting but with pre-vetted questions, it doesn't seem like much gets actually discussed at these sessions but rather it's more a public airing of what is coming. I don't have an education background and I've never been in a classroom as a teacher or even a sub. My resume for BoE member would be lacking in all areas except desire to fix what is broken.

Because it’s easier to complain, especially from behind a keyboard. Change requires actual work and most people shy away then.

You don’t have to be an educator to run for Booze. But you do need ideas and to understand how some of the process works.

And perhaps a wealthy spouse or family money so that you can actually do the job Board members are supposed to do for $25K a year. If it were to be done properly with the oversight responsibilities the BOE is supposed to have, it's not a part-time role. People can make $25k a year walking dogs a few days a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many people are upset with the state of MCPS. From the boundary study, the new regional programs, the lack of resources, the lack of AP classes in certain schools, the lack of safety, and the list goes on. So why don't people do something about it. In East Ramapo, NY, the Haredi Jews won enough seats to change the way the school board operates. I don't agree with the changes that they made, but they wanted change and the majority came out and voted for those that would make the changes. It also required people to stand up and say -- I will run on our platform.

If we're all so upset with the changes MCPS is making, why does no one stand up and say I want change?

Why not me?---I want to get more involved. But honestly, I don't know how. I can attend a board meeting but with pre-vetted questions, it doesn't seem like much gets actually discussed at these sessions but rather it's more a public airing of what is coming. I don't have an education background and I've never been in a classroom as a teacher or even a sub. My resume for BoE member would be lacking in all areas except desire to fix what is broken.

Because it’s easier to complain, especially from behind a keyboard. Change requires actual work and most people shy away then.

You don’t have to be an educator to run for Booze. But you do need ideas and to understand how some of the process works.

And perhaps a wealthy spouse or family money so that you can actually do the job Board members are supposed to do for $25K a year. If it were to be done properly with the oversight responsibilities the BOE is supposed to have, it's not a part-time role. People can make $25k a year walking dogs a few days a week.

LOL so Pat O'Neill and her across the street Bethesda neighbor Shirley Brandman were your ideal BOE members?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many people are upset with the state of MCPS. From the boundary study, the new regional programs, the lack of resources, the lack of AP classes in certain schools, the lack of safety, and the list goes on. So why don't people do something about it. In East Ramapo, NY, the Haredi Jews won enough seats to change the way the school board operates. I don't agree with the changes that they made, but they wanted change and the majority came out and voted for those that would make the changes. It also required people to stand up and say -- I will run on our platform.

If we're all so upset with the changes MCPS is making, why does no one stand up and say I want change?

Why not me?---I want to get more involved. But honestly, I don't know how. I can attend a board meeting but with pre-vetted questions, it doesn't seem like much gets actually discussed at these sessions but rather it's more a public airing of what is coming. I don't have an education background and I've never been in a classroom as a teacher or even a sub. My resume for BoE member would be lacking in all areas except desire to fix what is broken.

Because it’s easier to complain, especially from behind a keyboard. Change requires actual work and most people shy away then.

You don’t have to be an educator to run for Booze. But you do need ideas and to understand how some of the process works.

And perhaps a wealthy spouse or family money so that you can actually do the job Board members are supposed to do for $25K a year. If it were to be done properly with the oversight responsibilities the BOE is supposed to have, it's not a part-time role. People can make $25k a year walking dogs a few days a week.

LOL so Pat O'Neill and her across the street Bethesda neighbor Shirley Brandman were your ideal BOE members?

I have no idea who those people are, but I do know that the amount of work that the BOE is asked to do is a full-time job. So unless you live in some magical land where people don't need money and their needs are all taken care of, I'm not sure how people do this job for $25K unless they have a separate income source. If not, you run into Karla Silvestre type issues where they have conflicts of interest because they're working full-time for parties with work related to MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone was hopeful when all incumbents (Lynne Harris, Rebecca Smondrowski and Shebra Evans) were pushed out of the BOE.

But Rita Montoya, Laura Stewart and Natalie Zimmerman have all been absolute flops who have failed to deliver on their campaign promises of increased transparency and accountability for MCPS. They almost immediately became part of the MCPS machine and have been chirpily toeing the party line and nauesatingly spending their time in BOE meetings thanking people for showing up to present or testify.

They may get better when the older BOE members leave but I think they are forced to vote along BOE lines and none will go against the primary members. We need to keep pushing them out till we get competent ones. At least they thank people, the older members don’t even look up or acknowledge testimonies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many people are upset with the state of MCPS. From the boundary study, the new regional programs, the lack of resources, the lack of AP classes in certain schools, the lack of safety, and the list goes on. So why don't people do something about it. In East Ramapo, NY, the Haredi Jews won enough seats to change the way the school board operates. I don't agree with the changes that they made, but they wanted change and the majority came out and voted for those that would make the changes. It also required people to stand up and say -- I will run on our platform.

If we're all so upset with the changes MCPS is making, why does no one stand up and say I want change?

Why not me?---I want to get more involved. But honestly, I don't know how. I can attend a board meeting but with pre-vetted questions, it doesn't seem like much gets actually discussed at these sessions but rather it's more a public airing of what is coming. I don't have an education background and I've never been in a classroom as a teacher or even a sub. My resume for BoE member would be lacking in all areas except desire to fix what is broken.

Because it’s easier to complain, especially from behind a keyboard. Change requires actual work and most people shy away then.

You don’t have to be an educator to run for Booze. But you do need ideas and to understand how some of the process works.

And perhaps a wealthy spouse or family money so that you can actually do the job Board members are supposed to do for $25K a year. If it were to be done properly with the oversight responsibilities the BOE is supposed to have, it's not a part-time role. People can make $25k a year walking dogs a few days a week.

LOL so Pat O'Neill and her across the street Bethesda neighbor Shirley Brandman were your ideal BOE members?

I have no idea who those people are, but I do know that the amount of work that the BOE is asked to do is a full-time job. So unless you live in some magical land where people don't need money and their needs are all taken care of, I'm not sure how people do this job for $25K unless they have a separate income source. If not, you run into Karla Silvestre type issues where they have conflicts of interest because they're working full-time for parties with work related to MCPS.

They are comfortable or they double dip. It is a stipend not salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone was hopeful when all incumbents (Lynne Harris, Rebecca Smondrowski and Shebra Evans) were pushed out of the BOE.

But Rita Montoya, Laura Stewart and Natalie Zimmerman have all been absolute flops who have failed to deliver on their campaign promises of increased transparency and accountability for MCPS. They almost immediately became part of the MCPS machine and have been chirpily toeing the party line and nauesatingly spending their time in BOE meetings thanking people for showing up to present or testify.

They may get better when the older BOE members leave but I think they are forced to vote along BOE lines and none will go against the primary members. We need to keep pushing them out till we get competent ones. At least they thank people, the older members don’t even look up or acknowledge testimonies.

Why do they have to vote along BoE lines?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect it’s because the vast majority people who aren’t on DCUM are perfectly happy with the school system.

This x1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many people are upset with the state of MCPS. From the boundary study, the new regional programs, the lack of resources, the lack of AP classes in certain schools, the lack of safety, and the list goes on. So why don't people do something about it. In East Ramapo, NY, the Haredi Jews won enough seats to change the way the school board operates. I don't agree with the changes that they made, but they wanted change and the majority came out and voted for those that would make the changes. It also required people to stand up and say -- I will run on our platform.

If we're all so upset with the changes MCPS is making, why does no one stand up and say I want change?

Why not me?---I want to get more involved. But honestly, I don't know how. I can attend a board meeting but with pre-vetted questions, it doesn't seem like much gets actually discussed at these sessions but rather it's more a public airing of what is coming. I don't have an education background and I've never been in a classroom as a teacher or even a sub. My resume for BoE member would be lacking in all areas except desire to fix what is broken.

Because it’s easier to complain, especially from behind a keyboard. Change requires actual work and most people shy away then.

You don’t have to be an educator to run for Booze. But you do need ideas and to understand how some of the process works.

And perhaps a wealthy spouse or family money so that you can actually do the job Board members are supposed to do for $25K a year. If it were to be done properly with the oversight responsibilities the BOE is supposed to have, it's not a part-time role. People can make $25k a year walking dogs a few days a week.

LOL so Pat O'Neill and her across the street Bethesda neighbor Shirley Brandman were your ideal BOE members?

I have no idea who those people are, but I do know that the amount of work that the BOE is asked to do is a full-time job. So unless you live in some magical land where people don't need money and their needs are all taken care of, I'm not sure how people do this job for $25K unless they have a separate income source. If not, you run into Karla Silvestre type issues where they have conflicts of interest because they're working full-time for parties with work related to MCPS.

They are comfortable or they double dip. It is a stipend not salary.

Yes, and that's the problem. As a parent, I think that the BOE responsibilities to have oversight for the billion dollar MCPS isa full-time job. So when people complain that BoE members look uninformed at meetings or that they don't ask insightful questions or that they weren't involved in problematic cases that turned into $500K payouts to various complainants....I mean what do you expect for 25K a year? Penny-wise, pound foolish. Pay them a reasonable salary like MCPS Council gets and hold them accountable to do a full-time job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many people are upset with the state of MCPS. From the boundary study, the new regional programs, the lack of resources, the lack of AP classes in certain schools, the lack of safety, and the list goes on. So why don't people do something about it. In East Ramapo, NY, the Haredi Jews won enough seats to change the way the school board operates. I don't agree with the changes that they made, but they wanted change and the majority came out and voted for those that would make the changes. It also required people to stand up and say -- I will run on our platform.

If we're all so upset with the changes MCPS is making, why does no one stand up and say I want change?

Why not me?---I want to get more involved. But honestly, I don't know how. I can attend a board meeting but with pre-vetted questions, it doesn't seem like much gets actually discussed at these sessions but rather it's more a public airing of what is coming. I don't have an education background and I've never been in a classroom as a teacher or even a sub. My resume for BoE member would be lacking in all areas except desire to fix what is broken.

Because it’s easier to complain, especially from behind a keyboard. Change requires actual work and most people shy away then.

You don’t have to be an educator to run for Booze. But you do need ideas and to understand how some of the process works.

And perhaps a wealthy spouse or family money so that you can actually do the job Board members are supposed to do for $25K a year. If it were to be done properly with the oversight responsibilities the BOE is supposed to have, it's not a part-time role. People can make $25k a year walking dogs a few days a week.

LOL so Pat O'Neill and her across the street Bethesda neighbor Shirley Brandman were your ideal BOE members?

I have no idea who those people are, but I do know that the amount of work that the BOE is asked to do is a full-time job. So unless you live in some magical land where people don't need money and their needs are all taken care of, I'm not sure how people do this job for $25K unless they have a separate income source. If not, you run into Karla Silvestre type issues where they have conflicts of interest because they're working full-time for parties with work related to MCPS.

Apparently they were your dream BOE members. Do some research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect it’s because the vast majority people who aren’t on DCUM are perfectly happy with the school system.

This x1000

+1000

[Anonymous]

Well gee wiz some of the other choices had no business being on a BOE or near anything to do with kids.

Mandel horrifying
Diaz absurd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone was hopeful when all incumbents (Lynne Harris, Rebecca Smondrowski and Shebra Evans) were pushed out of the BOE.

But Rita Montoya, Laura Stewart and Natalie Zimmerman have all been absolute flops who have failed to deliver on their campaign promises of increased transparency and accountability for MCPS. They almost immediately became part of the MCPS machine and have been chirpily toeing the party line and nauesatingly spending their time in BOE meetings thanking people for showing up to present or testify.

They may get better when the older BOE members leave but I think they are forced to vote along BOE lines and none will go against the primary members. We need to keep pushing them out till we get competent ones. At least they thank people, the older members don’t even look up or acknowledge testimonies.

Why do they have to vote along BoE lines?

No one seems capable of answering this question...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone was hopeful when all incumbents (Lynne Harris, Rebecca Smondrowski and Shebra Evans) were pushed out of the BOE.

But Rita Montoya, Laura Stewart and Natalie Zimmerman have all been absolute flops who have failed to deliver on their campaign promises of increased transparency and accountability for MCPS. They almost immediately became part of the MCPS machine and have been chirpily toeing the party line and nauesatingly spending their time in BOE meetings thanking people for showing up to present or testify.

They may get better when the older BOE members leave but I think they are forced to vote along BOE lines and none will go against the primary members. We need to keep pushing them out till we get competent ones. At least they thank people, the older members don’t even look up or acknowledge testimonies.

Why do they have to vote along BoE lines?

No one seems capable of answering this question...

Because it's a false premise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well gee wiz some of the other choices had no business being on a BOE or near anything to do with kids.

Mandel horrifying
Diaz absurd

+1. You have to choose between who's actually on the ballot, not some imaginary ideal BOE candidate.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in East Ramapo, NY. Not a good example to compare to MCPS.

To put it in mild terms - the lobbying mentioned wasn’t for the good of all. It was to drain the district of $$, divert resources to a single fringe minority group that don’t even attend public schools, and get around laws.