Thursday Nov 20 BOE Discussion on Boundaries and Regional Program Model

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Julie Yang has good questions.

She did. I'll give her that.

But no one on the board is reflecting the concerns, frustrations and misgivings the community has expressed about the regional program model in the way that the County Council did when they interrogated MCPS about this proposal.

This. ☝️

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am reading the budget sheet while listening. Blair SMCS currently receive about $500K/yr for staffing + material. These FTEs include some staff sharing with Wheaton. They are proposing $250 K/yr for SMCS + CAP. So basically they have to do a RIF.

At the Flora Singer/Woodlin PTA meeting, Taylor claimed that there was zero extra budget for staff at Blair. Which did not make sense to me because the Metis report said they did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Julie Yang has good questions.

She did. I'll give her that.

But no one on the board is reflecting the concerns, frustrations and misgivings the community has expressed about the regional program model in the way that the County Council did when they interrogated MCPS about this proposal.

PP you replied to and I agree.

[Anonymous]

Really disappointed in Brenda tonight.

[Anonymous]

Julie Yang seems like she's trying to be performatively '"tough" on MCPS but not really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really disappointed in Brenda tonight.

I was impressed with what she said.

[Anonymous]

Looking at the pathways closer and it’s even more embarrassing g what they are calling a criteria based music program. Why would you take AP music theory in 11th grade? At best a college would give your credit for the fall semester of theory so you would have 18 months between finishing AP theory and resuming college level music core classes.

Compared to real performing arts programs, MCPS kids would have little opportunities. Kids at the run of the mill public school in the south or northeast will take multiple music ensembles during the school day.

This is all smoke and mirrors to get kids to take the CTE marketing class. Gross!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reading the budget sheet while listening. Blair SMCS currently receive about $500K/yr for staffing + material. These FTEs include some staff sharing with Wheaton. They are proposing $250 K/yr for SMCS + CAP. So basically they have to do a RIF.

At the Flora Singer/Woodlin PTA meeting, Taylor claimed that there was zero extra budget for staff at Blair. Which did not make sense to me because the Metis report said they did.

If Taylor has ever read the MÉTIS report, he wouldn’t deliver such a hot mess program analysis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taylor is such an idiot. He mentioned a 200 person “full size” orchestra or band. Then he bragged about how “instrument construction” might even be a part of a criteria based instrumental music program.

It’s clear MCPS hasn’t looked at any of the nationally known Perfirming Arts High Schools such as Duje Ellington, LaGuardia, or even the Virginia Governor’s School for the arts. You don’t break these kids up! Theatre kids need good instrumentalists to play in the pit of their musicals and real dancers on stage. You need good visual artists working on set design. Splitting these concentrations will limit the number of authentic experiences kids will have in MCPS.

Also, Taylor was incorrect when the said MCPS didn’t currently have any criteria based instrumental music strike music programs. Almost every MS and HS has at least one audition only instrumental ensemble such as a wind ensemble, jazz band, etc.

Is MCPS ready to start providing audition workshops and all the other outreach necessary for true criteria based music programs that can be successful?

+1
I would argue that we don’t need six separate performing arts programs. In New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., there is typically one dedicated performing arts high school that students from across the county apply and travel to. MCPS should consider creating a high school equivalent of Loiederman, giving all students the opportunity to audition for a centralized and comprehensive arts program. This model has been highly successful in other districts. My oldest attended LaGuardia Arts and received an excellent education with a wide range of advanced academic and arts courses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was just added--sample pathways doc.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DNLRYN704ACA/$file/WORKING%20DRAFT%20Sample%20Regional%20Programs%20Pathways%20251120.pdf

Wow, they are really leaning into putting the most rigorous academic programs at White Wealthy schools..what a message to send. Damn.

Look, I get your point but just a reminder that BCC is majority non white and 45% non white/Asian. And there is a quarter of the population who can't afford school lunch. There is a robust food pantry at BCC that was decimated when SNAP was cut off. I get that it's not the same as the DCC, and I don't oppose moving academic programs to DCC schools, but please don't lose sight of the facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it is HILARIOUS that they assume 100 students from Whitman will be traveling anywhere. They will be staying at their home school where they can access advanced math, science and humanities with transportation from their neighborhoods.

Yep - Thomas Taylor further segregating the county in the name of equity!

Why do you think this? Whitman cluster kids already travel to DCC elementary and middle for immersion? Plenty to Blair as well. Why would it be any different if the program is what they want? Mcps has more data on than you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it is HILARIOUS that they assume 100 students from Whitman will be traveling anywhere. They will be staying at their home school where they can access advanced math, science and humanities with transportation from their neighborhoods.

Yep - Thomas Taylor further segregating the county in the name of equity!

Why do you think this? Whitman cluster kids already travel to DCC elementary and middle for immersion? Plenty to Blair as well. Why would it be any different if the program is what they want? Mcps has more data on than you do.

Only about 8 kids per grade leave Whitman for programs elsewhere, according to MCPS. And they mostly go to Blair SMCS, which they may well stop doing if the program or cohort feels weaker to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it is HILARIOUS that they assume 100 students from Whitman will be traveling anywhere. They will be staying at their home school where they can access advanced math, science and humanities with transportation from their neighborhoods.

Yep - Thomas Taylor further segregating the county in the name of equity!

Why do you think this? Whitman cluster kids already travel to DCC elementary and middle for immersion? Plenty to Blair as well. Why would it be any different if the program is what they want? Mcps has more data on than you do.

Only about 8 kids per grade leave Whitman for programs elsewhere, according to MCPS. And they mostly go to Blair SMCS, which they may well stop doing if the program or cohort feels weaker to them.

So then 100 is not a bad estimate when you add in more programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reading the budget sheet while listening. Blair SMCS currently receive about $500K/yr for staffing + material. These FTEs include some staff sharing with Wheaton. They are proposing $250 K/yr for SMCS + CAP. So basically they have to do a RIF.

At the Flora Singer/Woodlin PTA meeting, Taylor claimed that there was zero extra budget for staff at Blair. Which did not make sense to me because the Metis report said they did.

That means blair has to use their current teachers or nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it is HILARIOUS that they assume 100 students from Whitman will be traveling anywhere. They will be staying at their home school where they can access advanced math, science and humanities with transportation from their neighborhoods.

Yep - Thomas Taylor further segregating the county in the name of equity!

Why do you think this? Whitman cluster kids already travel to DCC elementary and middle for immersion? Plenty to Blair as well. Why would it be any different if the program is what they want? Mcps has more data on than you do.

Only about 8 kids per grade leave Whitman for programs elsewhere, according to MCPS. And they mostly go to Blair SMCS, which they may well stop doing if the program or cohort feels weaker to them.

Whitman has what they need. No need to leave. Isn't that why parents move there?