APS - Funding

[Anonymous]

I thought they used most of the money to get out of debt from
last years budget. I don’t think it’s a secret—they mentioned it during the APS-County Board CIP work session last week. As someone above mentioned, free lunch was a federal program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He gets a car? And my child has received no education for 2 years? Ridiculous!

He is driven to meetings, as his schedule is probably tightly booked. Fairfax provides one for Braband, too. A lot of Superintendents in major school systems have this. Do you live under a rock?

No, I do not live under a rock. Arlington is hardly a "major school system"; it is the smallest county in the US. But you have just proved the point. This is the equivalent of corporate boards setting a CEO's salary based on what other CEOs make rather than value-added. Arlington spends stupid-money on stupid-things to pretend it is "world-class." And, meanwhile, our children receive no education.

I think he should have a car. I also think the kids are being educated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He gets a car? And my child has received no education for 2 years? Ridiculous!

He is driven to meetings, as his schedule is probably tightly booked. Fairfax provides one for Braband, too. A lot of Superintendents in major school systems have this. Do you live under a rock?

No, I do not live under a rock. Arlington is hardly a "major school system"; it is the smallest county in the US. But you have just proved the point. This is the equivalent of corporate boards setting a CEO's salary based on what other CEOs make rather than value-added. Arlington spends stupid-money on stupid-things to pretend it is "world-class." And, meanwhile, our children receive no education.

Arlington county is 230k people and 28k students; Howard County is 350k and 50k students. By population Arlington is a large school district and county but small geographically. By your geographic measure, Jacksonville should be our shining city on the hill.

Isn’t geographic size the relevant measure for evaluating whether car service is necessary?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He gets a car? And my child has received no education for 2 years? Ridiculous!

He is driven to meetings, as his schedule is probably tightly booked. Fairfax provides one for Braband, too. A lot of Superintendents in major school systems have this. Do you live under a rock?

No, I do not live under a rock. Arlington is hardly a "major school system"; it is the smallest county in the US. But you have just proved the point. This is the equivalent of corporate boards setting a CEO's salary based on what other CEOs make rather than value-added. Arlington spends stupid-money on stupid-things to pretend it is "world-class." And, meanwhile, our children receive no education.

Arlington county is 230k people and 28k students; Howard County is 350k and 50k students. By population Arlington is a large school district and county but small geographically. By your geographic measure, Jacksonville should be our shining city on the hill.

Isn’t geographic size the relevant measure for evaluating whether car service is necessary?

That depends. How much of the superintendent’s time do you think should be spent on looking for parking? I believe there are usually others in the car as well, and they are meeting while they are en route. No offense, but I think someone that would have a problem with that really doesn’t understand what a superintendent does.

[Anonymous]

I am a NP. We like our child's elementary school. Of course, much education in the past year and a half was due to parents.

We pick up free school lunch because it's popular in our household and as a free USDA program open to everyone, it is the only "stimulus" we qualify for. We aren't eligible for stimulus checks but saved on groceries especially not buying milk or apples and oranges all year.

The fundamentals of APS are good. They spend $21k per student.

I think they must do much soul searching after these 16 months. I'd not be surprised if they clean house.

Bridget Loft needs to go in my opinion. I am not entirely sure about Duran, I give him some grace as he was well-respected in Fairfax and inherited a bad situation, though his decisions were his decisions especially how he handled this spring after teachers were vaccinated.

It was wrong to use equity as an excuse to provide zero education Spring 2020, and the ways this year was handled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a NP. We like our child's elementary school. Of course, much education in the past year and a half was due to parents.

We pick up free school lunch because it's popular in our household and as a free USDA program open to everyone, it is the only "stimulus" we qualify for. We aren't eligible for stimulus checks but saved on groceries especially not buying milk or apples and oranges all year.

The fundamentals of APS are good. They spend $21k per student.

I think they must do much soul searching after these 16 months. I'd not be surprised if they clean house.

Bridget Loft needs to go in my opinion. I am not entirely sure about Duran, I give him some grace as he was well-respected in Fairfax and inherited a bad situation, though his decisions were his decisions especially how he handled this spring after teachers were vaccinated.

It was wrong to use equity as an excuse to provide zero education Spring 2020, and the ways this year was handled.

If you teach new material, you have to assess it. If Bridget Loft had insisted we teach new material virtually, there are loads of parents that would’ve had a fit if they perceived their children’s grades had suffered in any way, aside from the logistics of a completely new instructional format. I believe Durand decisions weren’t entirely based on the staff, but the kids, too. Hybrid insured their health and safety. I agree that they’ve both had an impossible situation to contend with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a NP. We like our child's elementary school. Of course, much education in the past year and a half was due to parents.

We pick up free school lunch because it's popular in our household and as a free USDA program open to everyone, it is the only "stimulus" we qualify for. We aren't eligible for stimulus checks but saved on groceries especially not buying milk or apples and oranges all year.

The fundamentals of APS are good. They spend $21k per student.

I think they must do much soul searching after these 16 months. I'd not be surprised if they clean house.

Bridget Loft needs to go in my opinion. I am not entirely sure about Duran, I give him some grace as he was well-respected in Fairfax and inherited a bad situation, though his decisions were his decisions especially how he handled this spring after teachers were vaccinated.

It was wrong to use equity as an excuse to provide zero education Spring 2020, and the ways this year was handled.

Equity was not the reason for no new instruction in the spring. It was the reason for allowing the cameras off, which was a misstep, but I still think Bridget Loft is pretty good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He gets a car? And my child has received no education for 2 years? Ridiculous!

He is driven to meetings, as his schedule is probably tightly booked. Fairfax provides one for Braband, too. A lot of Superintendents in major school systems have this. Do you live under a rock?

No, I do not live under a rock. Arlington is hardly a "major school system"; it is the smallest county in the US. But you have just proved the point. This is the equivalent of corporate boards setting a CEO's salary based on what other CEOs make rather than value-added. Arlington spends stupid-money on stupid-things to pretend it is "world-class." And, meanwhile, our children receive no education.

I think he should have a car. I also think the kids are being educated.

Maybe he should have a car - without reserved parking - so he can see what the parking situations at the various schools are actually like .
However, in a County hellbent on inconveniencing drivers and trying to encourage alternative means of transportation - and in a school district that tells its teachers they should take public transit or ride bicycles rather than drive - why should the Superintendent be given a car at taxpayer expense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He gets a car? And my child has received no education for 2 years? Ridiculous!

He is driven to meetings, as his schedule is probably tightly booked. Fairfax provides one for Braband, too. A lot of Superintendents in major school systems have this. Do you live under a rock?

No, I do not live under a rock. Arlington is hardly a "major school system"; it is the smallest county in the US. But you have just proved the point. This is the equivalent of corporate boards setting a CEO's salary based on what other CEOs make rather than value-added. Arlington spends stupid-money on stupid-things to pretend it is "world-class." And, meanwhile, our children receive no education.

I think he should have a car. I also think the kids are being educated.

Maybe he should have a car - without reserved parking - so he can see what the parking situations at the various schools are actually like .
However, in a County hellbent on inconveniencing drivers and trying to encourage alternative means of transportation - and in a school district that tells its teachers they should take public transit or ride bicycles rather than drive - why should the Superintendent be given a car at taxpayer expense?

You’re barking up the wrong tree. This is not unique to APS. Many superintendents have this. It doesn’t bother me in the least. If you’re worried about cost… think about what his time is actually worth. He doesn’t need to spend it driving. I have no doubts that he is going all day, every day- and evenings, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He gets a car? And my child has received no education for 2 years? Ridiculous!

He is driven to meetings, as his schedule is probably tightly booked. Fairfax provides one for Braband, too. A lot of Superintendents in major school systems have this. Do you live under a rock?

No, I do not live under a rock. Arlington is hardly a "major school system"; it is the smallest county in the US. But you have just proved the point. This is the equivalent of corporate boards setting a CEO's salary based on what other CEOs make rather than value-added. Arlington spends stupid-money on stupid-things to pretend it is "world-class." And, meanwhile, our children receive no education.

I think he should have a car. I also think the kids are being educated.

Maybe he should have a car - without reserved parking - so he can see what the parking situations at the various schools are actually like .
However, in a County hellbent on inconveniencing drivers and trying to encourage alternative means of transportation - and in a school district that tells its teachers they should take public transit or ride bicycles rather than drive - why should the Superintendent be given a car at taxpayer expense?

You’re barking up the wrong tree. This is not unique to APS. Many superintendents have this. It doesn’t bother me in the least. If you’re worried about cost… think about what his time is actually worth. He doesn’t need to spend it driving. I have no doubts that he is going all day, every day- and evenings, too.

Look at the Superintendents office page of the budget book and you’ll see the line items. APS doesn’t pay for his car or a driver beyond his regular salary. I know that sometimes ELT members carpool when going to visit schools together, but thats more for convenience so they can talk about things on the drive than anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a NP. We like our child's elementary school. Of course, much education in the past year and a half was due to parents.

We pick up free school lunch because it's popular in our household and as a free USDA program open to everyone, it is the only "stimulus" we qualify for. We aren't eligible for stimulus checks but saved on groceries especially not buying milk or apples and oranges all year.

The fundamentals of APS are good. They spend $21k per student.

I think they must do much soul searching after these 16 months. I'd not be surprised if they clean house.

Bridget Loft needs to go in my opinion. I am not entirely sure about Duran, I give him some grace as he was well-respected in Fairfax and inherited a bad situation, though his decisions were his decisions especially how he handled this spring after teachers were vaccinated.

It was wrong to use equity as an excuse to provide zero education Spring 2020, and the ways this year was handled.

Oh yes it was the reason Bridget Loft gave. She said during a SB meeting it would be unconscionable to teach new material for equity reasons. They could have done pass fail or no 4Th quarter grades and still taught new material. Anything would’ve helped. Fairfax did that. Loft and Johnson were responsible for the spring decision. It was wrong. Duran so far as I can tell did not agree with it though he arrived after the year ended.
Equity was not the reason for no new instruction in the spring. It was the reason for allowing the cameras off, which was a misstep, but I still think Bridget Loft is pretty good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He gets a car? And my child has received no education for 2 years? Ridiculous!

He is driven to meetings, as his schedule is probably tightly booked. Fairfax provides one for Braband, too. A lot of Superintendents in major school systems have this. Do you live under a rock?

No, I do not live under a rock. Arlington is hardly a "major school system"; it is the smallest county in the US. But you have just proved the point. This is the equivalent of corporate boards setting a CEO's salary based on what other CEOs make rather than value-added. Arlington spends stupid-money on stupid-things to pretend it is "world-class." And, meanwhile, our children receive no education.

I think he should have a car. I also think the kids are being educated.

Maybe he should have a car - without reserved parking - so he can see what the parking situations at the various schools are actually like .
However, in a County hellbent on inconveniencing drivers and trying to encourage alternative means of transportation - and in a school district that tells its teachers they should take public transit or ride bicycles rather than drive - why should the Superintendent be given a car at taxpayer expense?

You’re barking up the wrong tree. This is not unique to APS. Many superintendents have this. It doesn’t bother me in the least. If you’re worried about cost… think about what his time is actually worth. He doesn’t need to spend it driving. I have no doubts that he is going all day, every day- and evenings, too.

So, one busy important APS employee should be given a car; but all other busy (and presumably less) important people of APS and Arlington in general should continue to endure insufficient parking and other "incentives" and "motivations" to take alternative means of transportation. OK.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He gets a car? And my child has received no education for 2 years? Ridiculous!

He is driven to meetings, as his schedule is probably tightly booked. Fairfax provides one for Braband, too. A lot of Superintendents in major school systems have this. Do you live under a rock?

No, I do not live under a rock. Arlington is hardly a "major school system"; it is the smallest county in the US. But you have just proved the point. This is the equivalent of corporate boards setting a CEO's salary based on what other CEOs make rather than value-added. Arlington spends stupid-money on stupid-things to pretend it is "world-class." And, meanwhile, our children receive no education.

I think he should have a car. I also think the kids are being educated.

Maybe he should have a car - without reserved parking - so he can see what the parking situations at the various schools are actually like .
However, in a County hellbent on inconveniencing drivers and trying to encourage alternative means of transportation - and in a school district that tells its teachers they should take public transit or ride bicycles rather than drive - why should the Superintendent be given a car at taxpayer expense?

You’re barking up the wrong tree. This is not unique to APS. Many superintendents have this. It doesn’t bother me in the least. If you’re worried about cost… think about what his time is actually worth. He doesn’t need to spend it driving. I have no doubts that he is going all day, every day- and evenings, too.

Look at the Superintendents office page of the budget book and you’ll see the line items. APS doesn’t pay for his car or a driver beyond his regular salary. I know that sometimes ELT members carpool when going to visit schools together, but thats more for convenience so they can talk about things on the drive than anything.

What exactly does that mean? The Superintendent does (at least I know Murphy did) get a car as part of his benefits package.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He gets a car? And my child has received no education for 2 years? Ridiculous!

He is driven to meetings, as his schedule is probably tightly booked. Fairfax provides one for Braband, too. A lot of Superintendents in major school systems have this. Do you live under a rock?

No, I do not live under a rock. Arlington is hardly a "major school system"; it is the smallest county in the US. But you have just proved the point. This is the equivalent of corporate boards setting a CEO's salary based on what other CEOs make rather than value-added. Arlington spends stupid-money on stupid-things to pretend it is "world-class." And, meanwhile, our children receive no education.

I think he should have a car. I also think the kids are being educated.

Maybe he should have a car - without reserved parking - so he can see what the parking situations at the various schools are actually like .
However, in a County hellbent on inconveniencing drivers and trying to encourage alternative means of transportation - and in a school district that tells its teachers they should take public transit or ride bicycles rather than drive - why should the Superintendent be given a car at taxpayer expense?

You’re barking up the wrong tree. This is not unique to APS. Many superintendents have this. It doesn’t bother me in the least. If you’re worried about cost… think about what his time is actually worth. He doesn’t need to spend it driving. I have no doubts that he is going all day, every day- and evenings, too.

So, one busy important APS employee should be given a car; but all other busy (and presumably less) important people of APS and Arlington in general should continue to endure insufficient parking and other "incentives" and "motivations" to take alternative means of transportation. OK.

By your logic, Joe Biden should also take the bus. Get over it already.

[Anonymous]

NP. Bridget Loft is one hundred times better than anyone who has had her job in the last 15 years. She is the first person in that job to actually send regular emails to teachers that feature guidance. She has made some missteps, but no one could have predicted the best course of action for this pandemic. She should stay.