Maret and former Whittle students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t the parents start a survey? They could black out the names if fearing retribution and just report the numbers or do an anonymous survey to pressure the board to reopen the HoS search?

The stuff that has come out since the decision was made (well before Whittle collapsed) is enough to reconsider.

Because aside from the 2% of parents who read DCUM, no one cares nor are they concerned. Parents at Maret tend to be reasonable and level headed and so likely wouldn’t take to conspiracy theories tossed around by anonymous internet trolls.

Patently false!! And wouldn't it be a joy for this to actually be "conspiracy theories". That nonsensical allegation does a great disservice to the students, families, and faculty left in Whittle's wake. There is nothing theoretical about it; there is a series of FACTS which anyone who is "reasonable" can use to conclude leadership should be unwelcomed at a school of Maret's stature. What an awful decision Maret has made and I am certain there are more than "2%" of parents who agree!

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t the parents start a survey? They could black out the names if fearing retribution and just report the numbers or do an anonymous survey to pressure the board to reopen the HoS search?

The stuff that has come out since the decision was made (well before Whittle collapsed) is enough to reconsider.

Because aside from the 2% of parents who read DCUM, no one cares nor are they concerned. Parents at Maret tend to be reasonable and level headed and so likely wouldn’t take to conspiracy theories tossed around by anonymous internet trolls.

I'm a Maret parent. I'm concerned. And, when asked to fill-out the surveys after we watched the presentations from each candidate, I wrote down my name. I did not hide. I know other parents had similar concerns. To this day, I cannot figure out why the Board selected this candidate. But, I am not in academia, and, for at least a year, I'm going with the view that the "board knows best" and if Dennis is a disaster, then we'll reevaluate.

I can say this -- I've gone through HoS transitions at other schools and Maret's approach to me seems odd. Maret appointed Dennis at the end of last year to give him a full year to shadow/transition. In contrast, at other schools, the new HoS is announced the year that the current HoS is leaving. I have yet to meet Dennis or see him at any school functions or have any functions in which we are encouraged to meet him. At other school, the entire school has been invited to meet the new head. Small groups also invited to meet the new head. Dennis seems to be hiding at Maret. Or maybe only those who donate at the very top have met him? All I know is that for someone who allegedly has been shadowing Marjo for a year, I've yet to see him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t the parents start a survey? They could black out the names if fearing retribution and just report the numbers or do an anonymous survey to pressure the board to reopen the HoS search?

The stuff that has come out since the decision was made (well before Whittle collapsed) is enough to reconsider.

Because aside from the 2% of parents who read DCUM, no one cares nor are they concerned. Parents at Maret tend to be reasonable and level headed and so likely wouldn’t take to conspiracy theories tossed around by anonymous internet trolls.

I'm a Maret parent. I'm concerned. And, when asked to fill-out the surveys after we watched the presentations from each candidate, I wrote down my name. I did not hide. I know other parents had similar concerns. To this day, I cannot figure out why the Board selected this candidate. But, I am not in academia, and, for at least a year, I'm going with the view that the "board knows best" and if Dennis is a disaster, then we'll reevaluate.

I can say this -- I've gone through HoS transitions at other schools and Maret's approach to me seems odd. Maret appointed Dennis at the end of last year to give him a full year to shadow/transition. In contrast, at other schools, the new HoS is announced the year that the current HoS is leaving. I have yet to meet Dennis or see him at any school functions or have any functions in which we are encouraged to meet him. At other school, the entire school has been invited to meet the new head. Small groups also invited to meet the new head. Dennis seems to be hiding at Maret. Or maybe only those who donate at the very top have met him? All I know is that for someone who allegedly has been shadowing Marjo for a year, I've yet to see him.

This is not correct. The announcement clearly states he will start in July 2023, after Marjo steps down. Nowhere does it say he is shadowing her for a year. https://www.maret.org/about-us/head-of-school-announcement

I am not sure about the guy either, but I don’t think it’s ok to spread conspiracy theories about him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t the parents start a survey? They could black out the names if fearing retribution and just report the numbers or do an anonymous survey to pressure the board to reopen the HoS search?

The stuff that has come out since the decision was made (well before Whittle collapsed) is enough to reconsider.

Because aside from the 2% of parents who read DCUM, no one cares nor are they concerned. Parents at Maret tend to be reasonable and level headed and so likely wouldn’t take to conspiracy theories tossed around by anonymous internet trolls.

I'm a Maret parent. I'm concerned. And, when asked to fill-out the surveys after we watched the presentations from each candidate, I wrote down my name. I did not hide. I know other parents had similar concerns. To this day, I cannot figure out why the Board selected this candidate. But, I am not in academia, and, for at least a year, I'm going with the view that the "board knows best" and if Dennis is a disaster, then we'll reevaluate.

I can say this -- I've gone through HoS transitions at other schools and Maret's approach to me seems odd. Maret appointed Dennis at the end of last year to give him a full year to shadow/transition. In contrast, at other schools, the new HoS is announced the year that the current HoS is leaving. I have yet to meet Dennis or see him at any school functions or have any functions in which we are encouraged to meet him. At other school, the entire school has been invited to meet the new head. Small groups also invited to meet the new head. Dennis seems to be hiding at Maret. Or maybe only those who donate at the very top have met him? All I know is that for someone who allegedly has been shadowing Marjo for a year, I've yet to see him.

Agree with this- very strange process and I have heard (gossip of course) that it was not a consensus vote, not at all, and that the board was divided.

They should have not given it to any of the candidates and done another search with a better search agency. Two of the candidates were “recycled” (including Dennis) meaning they had gone through searches in years prior without being placed, so Maret basically got a left over.

The woman from NYC was Marjo’s pick and predictably awful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t the parents start a survey? They could black out the names if fearing retribution and just report the numbers or do an anonymous survey to pressure the board to reopen the HoS search?

The stuff that has come out since the decision was made (well before Whittle collapsed) is enough to reconsider.

Because aside from the 2% of parents who read DCUM, no one cares nor are they concerned. Parents at Maret tend to be reasonable and level headed and so likely wouldn’t take to conspiracy theories tossed around by anonymous internet trolls.

I'm a Maret parent. I'm concerned. And, when asked to fill-out the surveys after we watched the presentations from each candidate, I wrote down my name. I did not hide. I know other parents had similar concerns. To this day, I cannot figure out why the Board selected this candidate. But, I am not in academia, and, for at least a year, I'm going with the view that the "board knows best" and if Dennis is a disaster, then we'll reevaluate.

I can say this -- I've gone through HoS transitions at other schools and Maret's approach to me seems odd. Maret appointed Dennis at the end of last year to give him a full year to shadow/transition. In contrast, at other schools, the new HoS is announced the year that the current HoS is leaving. I have yet to meet Dennis or see him at any school functions or have any functions in which we are encouraged to meet him. At other school, the entire school has been invited to meet the new head. Small groups also invited to meet the new head. Dennis seems to be hiding at Maret. Or maybe only those who donate at the very top have met him? All I know is that for someone who allegedly has been shadowing Marjo for a year, I've yet to see him.

No one who is an actual Maret parent would say that the new HoS is "shadowing" Marjo this year or that this was ever the intent of the gap between his selection and start date. Nice try.

Are you the troll whose lies became so bad over this past weekend that you got booted from DCUM for the day and had half your posts removed because they were so unhinged and not grounded in even a shred of truth or reality (cue conspiracy theories about Maret's iron-clad control over this board and its ability to get posts removed)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happened is that one insane, lonely and aggrieved poster created and hijacked a thread on an anonymous message board.

The school is doing just fine, filled with great kids, teachers and families and is as competitive as it has ever been.

To those joining next year, welcome and congrats.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t the parents start a survey? They could black out the names if fearing retribution and just report the numbers or do an anonymous survey to pressure the board to reopen the HoS search?

The stuff that has come out since the decision was made (well before Whittle collapsed) is enough to reconsider.

Because aside from the 2% of parents who read DCUM, no one cares nor are they concerned. Parents at Maret tend to be reasonable and level headed and so likely wouldn’t take to conspiracy theories tossed around by anonymous internet trolls.

I'm a Maret parent. I'm concerned. And, when asked to fill-out the surveys after we watched the presentations from each candidate, I wrote down my name. I did not hide. I know other parents had similar concerns. To this day, I cannot figure out why the Board selected this candidate. But, I am not in academia, and, for at least a year, I'm going with the view that the "board knows best" and if Dennis is a disaster, then we'll reevaluate.

I can say this -- I've gone through HoS transitions at other schools and Maret's approach to me seems odd. Maret appointed Dennis at the end of last year to give him a full year to shadow/transition. In contrast, at other schools, the new HoS is announced the year that the current HoS is leaving. I have yet to meet Dennis or see him at any school functions or have any functions in which we are encouraged to meet him. At other school, the entire school has been invited to meet the new head. Small groups also invited to meet the new head. Dennis seems to be hiding at Maret. Or maybe only those who donate at the very top have met him? All I know is that for someone who allegedly has been shadowing Marjo for a year, I've yet to see him.

Agree with this- very strange process and I have heard (gossip of course) that it was not a consensus vote, not at all, and that the board was divided.

They should have not given it to any of the candidates and done another search with a better search agency. Two of the candidates were “recycled” (including Dennis) meaning they had gone through searches in years prior without being placed, so Maret basically got a left over.

The woman from NYC was Marjo’s pick and predictably awful

Well if they hire an awful replacement that just bolsters her reputation as The Only One Who Can Fix Our Problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t the parents start a survey? They could black out the names if fearing retribution and just report the numbers or do an anonymous survey to pressure the board to reopen the HoS search?

The stuff that has come out since the decision was made (well before Whittle collapsed) is enough to reconsider.

Because aside from the 2% of parents who read DCUM, no one cares nor are they concerned. Parents at Maret tend to be reasonable and level headed and so likely wouldn’t take to conspiracy theories tossed around by anonymous internet trolls.

I'm a Maret parent. I'm concerned. And, when asked to fill-out the surveys after we watched the presentations from each candidate, I wrote down my name. I did not hide. I know other parents had similar concerns. To this day, I cannot figure out why the Board selected this candidate. But, I am not in academia, and, for at least a year, I'm going with the view that the "board knows best" and if Dennis is a disaster, then we'll reevaluate.

I can say this -- I've gone through HoS transitions at other schools and Maret's approach to me seems odd. Maret appointed Dennis at the end of last year to give him a full year to shadow/transition. In contrast, at other schools, the new HoS is announced the year that the current HoS is leaving. I have yet to meet Dennis or see him at any school functions or have any functions in which we are encouraged to meet him. At other school, the entire school has been invited to meet the new head. Small groups also invited to meet the new head. Dennis seems to be hiding at Maret. Or maybe only those who donate at the very top have met him? All I know is that for someone who allegedly has been shadowing Marjo for a year, I've yet to see him.

No one who is an actual Maret parent would say that the new HoS is "shadowing" Marjo this year or that this was ever the intent of the gap between his selection and start date. Nice try.

Are you the troll whose lies became so bad over this past weekend that you got booted from DCUM for the day and had half your posts removed because they were so unhinged and not grounded in even a shred of truth or reality (cue conspiracy theories about Maret's iron-clad control over this board and its ability to get posts removed)?

No - I am not a troll. In one of the communications, Maret made clear that there would be a very long transition (which is unusual) so that Dennis could learn the ropes. Many other schools have had new HoS in the past several years, and not a single one has decided a full year + in advance. The reason given was transition time. Which effectively means shadow regardless of the term you choose to use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t the parents start a survey? They could black out the names if fearing retribution and just report the numbers or do an anonymous survey to pressure the board to reopen the HoS search?

The stuff that has come out since the decision was made (well before Whittle collapsed) is enough to reconsider.

Because aside from the 2% of parents who read DCUM, no one cares nor are they concerned. Parents at Maret tend to be reasonable and level headed and so likely wouldn’t take to conspiracy theories tossed around by anonymous internet trolls.

I'm a Maret parent. I'm concerned. And, when asked to fill-out the surveys after we watched the presentations from each candidate, I wrote down my name. I did not hide. I know other parents had similar concerns. To this day, I cannot figure out why the Board selected this candidate. But, I am not in academia, and, for at least a year, I'm going with the view that the "board knows best" and if Dennis is a disaster, then we'll reevaluate.

I can say this -- I've gone through HoS transitions at other schools and Maret's approach to me seems odd. Maret appointed Dennis at the end of last year to give him a full year to shadow/transition. In contrast, at other schools, the new HoS is announced the year that the current HoS is leaving. I have yet to meet Dennis or see him at any school functions or have any functions in which we are encouraged to meet him. At other school, the entire school has been invited to meet the new head. Small groups also invited to meet the new head. Dennis seems to be hiding at Maret. Or maybe only those who donate at the very top have met him? All I know is that for someone who allegedly has been shadowing Marjo for a year, I've yet to see him.

No one who is an actual Maret parent would say that the new HoS is "shadowing" Marjo this year or that this was ever the intent of the gap between his selection and start date. Nice try.

Are you the troll whose lies became so bad over this past weekend that you got booted from DCUM for the day and had half your posts removed because they were so unhinged and not grounded in even a shred of truth or reality (cue conspiracy theories about Maret's iron-clad control over this board and its ability to get posts removed)?

No - I am not a troll. In one of the communications, Maret made clear that there would be a very long transition (which is unusual) so that Dennis could learn the ropes. Many other schools have had new HoS in the past several years, and not a single one has decided a full year + in advance. The reason given was transition time. Which effectively means shadow regardless of the term you choose to use.

In fact, in an email to the community from September 2023, the school talks specifically about working with Marjo, Dennis, and the Board this year to ensure a smooth transition. Perhaps not a shadow, but certainly a long time for a lead time. And very interesting virtually no opportunities to meet Dennis. All i'm saying is that he would not have been my pick. I agree with others about the need for a new search. But, we will see what happens. We are still there for next year, so it is what it is for now.

[Anonymous]

If that were “all you were saying,” you wouldn’t have posted dozens (maybe hundreds) of times and tried to revive this thread constantly.

[Anonymous]

DP, think what you want but nothing said on this board was a lie. I read the same in the Washington Business Journal and heard the same from the Whittle parents. If you bother to google or read like I did you’ll quickly have to admit you’re wrong unless you’re — as I suspected — doing a service for HoS or HoS.

Everything reported is a matter of public record, including the tweet by the HoS which I read as an attempt to
Intimidate because it was timed within the days of the collapse.

That someone is so desperate to defend the indefensible is even more concerning. I imagine how they started is how they mean to go on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t the parents start a survey? They could black out the names if fearing retribution and just report the numbers or do an anonymous survey to pressure the board to reopen the HoS search?

The stuff that has come out since the decision was made (well before Whittle collapsed) is enough to reconsider.

Because aside from the 2% of parents who read DCUM, no one cares nor are they concerned. Parents at Maret tend to be reasonable and level headed and so likely wouldn’t take to conspiracy theories tossed around by anonymous internet trolls.

I'm a Maret parent. I'm concerned. And, when asked to fill-out the surveys after we watched the presentations from each candidate, I wrote down my name. I did not hide. I know other parents had similar concerns. To this day, I cannot figure out why the Board selected this candidate. But, I am not in academia, and, for at least a year, I'm going with the view that the "board knows best" and if Dennis is a disaster, then we'll reevaluate.

I can say this -- I've gone through HoS transitions at other schools and Maret's approach to me seems odd. Maret appointed Dennis at the end of last year to give him a full year to shadow/transition. In contrast, at other schools, the new HoS is announced the year that the current HoS is leaving. I have yet to meet Dennis or see him at any school functions or have any functions in which we are encouraged to meet him. At other school, the entire school has been invited to meet the new head. Small groups also invited to meet the new head. Dennis seems to be hiding at Maret. Or maybe only those who donate at the very top have met him? All I know is that for someone who allegedly has been shadowing Marjo for a year, I've yet to see him.

+1 except I don’t see why he gets a year? Remember the selection happened in May and his school collapsed in July and only thereafter did all the interior workings become known — June, July and later

[Anonymous]

All is see is one “troll” posting repeatedly to shut down, at worst other “trolls”. However, those “trolls” critical of the HoS have shown up with facts to back up their questions and concerns.

But I’m still reading for a single fact that is either a fact, let alone a new fact, or an argument factually dismantling what the alleged “troll” critical of the HoS said. Someone is awfully motivated to shut down any inquiry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All is see is one “troll” posting repeatedly to shut down, at worst other “trolls”. However, those “trolls” critical of the HoS have shown up with facts to back up their questions and concerns.

But I’m still reading for a single fact that is either a fact, let alone a new fact, or an argument factually dismantling what the alleged “troll” critical of the HoS said. Someone is awfully motivated to shut down any inquiry.

All it shows is the guy was running the school. He didn’t finance the school, the construction, and was not responsible for paying the staff nor contractors. He was just an employee too

[Anonymous]

That’s just not what the reporting and first-hand accounts say.

But let’s say that’s the case although it’s not. In fact, the school he founded failed terribly and he didn’t “know” or was just an “employee” even though his wife per the Whittle website was the Special Assistant to the new HoS and per the reports Chris Whittle in 2021-2022 through the collapse.

He still spectacularly failed in a lesser school. Then there were documented questionable behaviors and lack of any comment or empathy for those that fared less well than his family in the collapse. That all came out AFTER the job offer.

Students get acceptances revoked for performance slipping and questionable behavior prior starting. Why not the administration?