Taylor: “What’s the Worst That Could Happen? They Fire Me?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adam Pagnucco posted an email that was forwarded to him from a community member who engaged with Taylor after Md. State Senator Cheryl Kagan criticized MCPS and Taylor for their decisions on Wootton. The response to the community member was quite revealing and Pagnucco reprinted it since he felt it revealed something about Taylor's character and/or his state of mind.

SOURCE: https://montgomeryperspective.com/2026/02/23/taylor-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen-they-fire-me/

Taylor’s email to the reader is printed below.

*****

This really means a lot. The data is what the data is – I can’t change it. Politicians who chest-thump is nothing new in Montgomery County. I work for politicians, but I am not one and I also don’t wobble when they fuss (this makes them uncomfortable). Been doing this a long time…what’s the worst that could happen? They fire me? …great! Maybe I’ll get a full night’s sleep for once. 🙂

In all seriousness, the state has no role in this, especially individual legislators. We’ll get through this. And yes – Magruder finally has a clear path! They will be in the next CIP…I just wish it didn’t take so dang long to get stuff done around here.

Again, thanks for reaching out. Onward…!

All my best,

Thomas

Oh, I like him now.
I didn’t really have an opinion of him before, but now...

How is it that all the I love Taylor posts haven't been able to name one thing they like about him except this one email?

The thing they like about him is that he is anti-parent. The people who love Taylor hate the parents and students they're supposed to serve.

I'd give Taylor a mixed review. He's made choices or proposals I support, choices I don't, and choices I have no feeling about because they don't concern me. I think you've nailed his supporters here, at least, with this comment. Look at the person posting in every thread with comments about "Mad Mommies," as if it's inherently insulting to be a parent who has opinions about the schools.

I'm not sold that Taylor himself has this attitude, but the email does give me pause. He talks about the opinions of politicians who "fuss," but the criticism of closing Wootton is coming from politicians because it's how their constituents feel. I don't care about Wootton in particular, but the Superintendent should be responsive to the concerns of parents when making a big change like that. It doesn't necessarily mean making a different choice, but I don't love how it seems like he's thinking about the response to the proposal.

Correct.

In Montgomery County, every decision will have supporters and detractors. That's a given. But Taylor and MCPS typically run afoul by not being transparent, honest and consistent with their own rules and policies.

Taylor is signaling here that he doesn't care about being fair or consistent and believes that he alone knows what's best for everyone.

The politicians are doing their job of advocating on behalf of their constituents. That he doesn't respect the political process and roles and responsibilities of the public and elected officials is troubling.

A sign of a dictator is when they attack politicians for doing their job. Beware of Taylor.

From working in MCPS and hearing stories of how he is in meetings with supervisors who have tried to present data and explain why the changes he's making are a bad idea, this fits exactly. I've been told he has no curiosity for understanding how/why things are the way they are, which could help him pinpoint the actual issues that need changing. Instead, the philosophy is that he knows best and you are gaslit if you say, for example "it's harder to do X job because you cut X positions last year" and the response is just "no, I actually gave more support to X area." Just blatantly false statements that can be debunked by his own budget. However TT and his minions are great at doublespeak and are very insistent that the natural consequences of his choices just haven't happened or couldn't possibly happen. This is why so many people have fled central office positions. Not just people whose positions were cut but people in the mid level who keep the system afloat with their institutional knowledge are over the incompetency. You now have people running things who literally know nothing about their area/programs. I think TT and co see this as a positive to "root out" the naysayers. It's all going to come crashing down eventually when you wind up with no one with any expertise!

Agreed. He is an arrogant narcissist who hammers at staff and thinks he has all the answers. We can’t fire him fast enough.

Lol. I'm a TT fan except for the electric bus part. Other than that he's good. I haven't seen the 'bocce ball millionaire' or 'kids museum' ghost schools issues popping up lately? Hopefully he'll stay a while.

Taylor sent a few kids and staff to China to play pickleball.
Air fare alone was $500K.

MCPS didn't fund those trips though. A quick google search shows this

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) pickleball diplomacy program, which facilitates exchange trips with China, is primarily funded and supported by the Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange. The initiative is supported by local partners, including JOOLA and Dill Dinkers.

Key details regarding the program's support include:
Trip Funding: The Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange funded the travel.

Equipment and Gear: JOOLA, based in Montgomery County, provides paddles and apparel for the delegation.

Training and Practice: Dill Dinkers hosts weekly practices for the student-athletes.

Support: The program received encouragement from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The program aims to foster cross-cultural friendship through sport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The email is fine. You all love to complain about everything. It is a nightmare job.

Yep there is absolutely nothing wrong with his email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adam Pagnucco posted an email that was forwarded to him from a community member who engaged with Taylor after Md. State Senator Cheryl Kagan criticized MCPS and Taylor for their decisions on Wootton. The response to the community member was quite revealing and Pagnucco reprinted it since he felt it revealed something about Taylor's character and/or his state of mind.

SOURCE: https://montgomeryperspective.com/2026/02/23/taylor-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen-they-fire-me/

Taylor’s email to the reader is printed below.

*****

This really means a lot. The data is what the data is – I can’t change it. Politicians who chest-thump is nothing new in Montgomery County. I work for politicians, but I am not one and I also don’t wobble when they fuss (this makes them uncomfortable). Been doing this a long time…what’s the worst that could happen? They fire me? …great! Maybe I’ll get a full night’s sleep for once. 🙂

In all seriousness, the state has no role in this, especially individual legislators. We’ll get through this. And yes – Magruder finally has a clear path! They will be in the next CIP…I just wish it didn’t take so dang long to get stuff done around here.

Again, thanks for reaching out. Onward…!

All my best,

Thomas

Oh, I like him now.
I didn’t really have an opinion of him before, but now...

How is it that all the I love Taylor posts haven't been able to name one thing they like about him except this one email?

The thing they like about him is that he is anti-parent. The people who love Taylor hate the parents and students they're supposed to serve.

I'd give Taylor a mixed review. He's made choices or proposals I support, choices I don't, and choices I have no feeling about because they don't concern me. I think you've nailed his supporters here, at least, with this comment. Look at the person posting in every thread with comments about "Mad Mommies," as if it's inherently insulting to be a parent who has opinions about the schools.

I'm not sold that Taylor himself has this attitude, but the email does give me pause. He talks about the opinions of politicians who "fuss," but the criticism of closing Wootton is coming from politicians because it's how their constituents feel. I don't care about Wootton in particular, but the Superintendent should be responsive to the concerns of parents when making a big change like that. It doesn't necessarily mean making a different choice, but I don't love how it seems like he's thinking about the response to the proposal.

Correct.

In Montgomery County, every decision will have supporters and detractors. That's a given. But Taylor and MCPS typically run afoul by not being transparent, honest and consistent with their own rules and policies.

Taylor is signaling here that he doesn't care about being fair or consistent and believes that he alone knows what's best for everyone.

The politicians are doing their job of advocating on behalf of their constituents. That he doesn't respect the political process and roles and responsibilities of the public and elected officials is troubling.

A sign of a dictator is when they attack politicians for doing their job. Beware of Taylor.

From working in MCPS and hearing stories of how he is in meetings with supervisors who have tried to present data and explain why the changes he's making are a bad idea, this fits exactly. I've been told he has no curiosity for understanding how/why things are the way they are, which could help him pinpoint the actual issues that need changing. Instead, the philosophy is that he knows best and you are gaslit if you say, for example "it's harder to do X job because you cut X positions last year" and the response is just "no, I actually gave more support to X area." Just blatantly false statements that can be debunked by his own budget. However TT and his minions are great at doublespeak and are very insistent that the natural consequences of his choices just haven't happened or couldn't possibly happen. This is why so many people have fled central office positions. Not just people whose positions were cut but people in the mid level who keep the system afloat with their institutional knowledge are over the incompetency. You now have people running things who literally know nothing about their area/programs. I think TT and co see this as a positive to "root out" the naysayers. It's all going to come crashing down eventually when you wind up with no one with any expertise!

Agreed. He is an arrogant narcissist who hammers at staff and thinks he has all the answers. We can’t fire him fast enough.

Lol. I'm a TT fan except for the electric bus part. Other than that he's good. I haven't seen the 'bocce ball millionaire' or 'kids museum' ghost schools issues popping up lately? Hopefully he'll stay a while.

Taylor sent a few kids and staff to China to play pickleball.
Air fare alone was $500K.

MCPS didn't fund those trips though. A quick google search shows this

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) pickleball diplomacy program, which facilitates exchange trips with China, is primarily funded and supported by the Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange. The initiative is supported by local partners, including JOOLA and Dill Dinkers.

Key details regarding the program's support include:
Trip Funding: The Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange funded the travel.

Equipment and Gear: JOOLA, based in Montgomery County, provides paddles and apparel for the delegation.

Training and Practice: Dill Dinkers hosts weekly practices for the student-athletes.

Support: The program received encouragement from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The program aims to foster cross-cultural friendship through sport.

A quick search of MCPS shows Taylor bought $500,000 of airfare on Air China.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adam Pagnucco posted an email that was forwarded to him from a community member who engaged with Taylor after Md. State Senator Cheryl Kagan criticized MCPS and Taylor for their decisions on Wootton. The response to the community member was quite revealing and Pagnucco reprinted it since he felt it revealed something about Taylor's character and/or his state of mind.

SOURCE: https://montgomeryperspective.com/2026/02/23/taylor-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen-they-fire-me/

Taylor’s email to the reader is printed below.

*****

This really means a lot. The data is what the data is – I can’t change it. Politicians who chest-thump is nothing new in Montgomery County. I work for politicians, but I am not one and I also don’t wobble when they fuss (this makes them uncomfortable). Been doing this a long time…what’s the worst that could happen? They fire me? …great! Maybe I’ll get a full night’s sleep for once. 🙂

In all seriousness, the state has no role in this, especially individual legislators. We’ll get through this. And yes – Magruder finally has a clear path! They will be in the next CIP…I just wish it didn’t take so dang long to get stuff done around here.

Again, thanks for reaching out. Onward…!

All my best,

Thomas

Oh, I like him now.
I didn’t really have an opinion of him before, but now...

How is it that all the I love Taylor posts haven't been able to name one thing they like about him except this one email?

The thing they like about him is that he is anti-parent. The people who love Taylor hate the parents and students they're supposed to serve.

I'd give Taylor a mixed review. He's made choices or proposals I support, choices I don't, and choices I have no feeling about because they don't concern me. I think you've nailed his supporters here, at least, with this comment. Look at the person posting in every thread with comments about "Mad Mommies," as if it's inherently insulting to be a parent who has opinions about the schools.

I'm not sold that Taylor himself has this attitude, but the email does give me pause. He talks about the opinions of politicians who "fuss," but the criticism of closing Wootton is coming from politicians because it's how their constituents feel. I don't care about Wootton in particular, but the Superintendent should be responsive to the concerns of parents when making a big change like that. It doesn't necessarily mean making a different choice, but I don't love how it seems like he's thinking about the response to the proposal.

Correct.

In Montgomery County, every decision will have supporters and detractors. That's a given. But Taylor and MCPS typically run afoul by not being transparent, honest and consistent with their own rules and policies.

Taylor is signaling here that he doesn't care about being fair or consistent and believes that he alone knows what's best for everyone.

The politicians are doing their job of advocating on behalf of their constituents. That he doesn't respect the political process and roles and responsibilities of the public and elected officials is troubling.

A sign of a dictator is when they attack politicians for doing their job. Beware of Taylor.

From working in MCPS and hearing stories of how he is in meetings with supervisors who have tried to present data and explain why the changes he's making are a bad idea, this fits exactly. I've been told he has no curiosity for understanding how/why things are the way they are, which could help him pinpoint the actual issues that need changing. Instead, the philosophy is that he knows best and you are gaslit if you say, for example "it's harder to do X job because you cut X positions last year" and the response is just "no, I actually gave more support to X area." Just blatantly false statements that can be debunked by his own budget. However TT and his minions are great at doublespeak and are very insistent that the natural consequences of his choices just haven't happened or couldn't possibly happen. This is why so many people have fled central office positions. Not just people whose positions were cut but people in the mid level who keep the system afloat with their institutional knowledge are over the incompetency. You now have people running things who literally know nothing about their area/programs. I think TT and co see this as a positive to "root out" the naysayers. It's all going to come crashing down eventually when you wind up with no one with any expertise!

Agreed. He is an arrogant narcissist who hammers at staff and thinks he has all the answers. We can’t fire him fast enough.

Lol. I'm a TT fan except for the electric bus part. Other than that he's good. I haven't seen the 'bocce ball millionaire' or 'kids museum' ghost schools issues popping up lately? Hopefully he'll stay a while.

Taylor sent a few kids and staff to China to play pickleball.
Air fare alone was $500K.

MCPS didn't fund those trips though. A quick google search shows this

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) pickleball diplomacy program, which facilitates exchange trips with China, is primarily funded and supported by the Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange. The initiative is supported by local partners, including JOOLA and Dill Dinkers.

Key details regarding the program's support include:
Trip Funding: The Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange funded the travel.

Equipment and Gear: JOOLA, based in Montgomery County, provides paddles and apparel for the delegation.

Training and Practice: Dill Dinkers hosts weekly practices for the student-athletes.

Support: The program received encouragement from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The program aims to foster cross-cultural friendship through sport.

A quick search of MCPS shows Taylor bought $500,000 of airfare on Air China.

Based on available reports and search results, there is no evidence that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) spent $500,000 on airfare to China. The claim appears to confuse various financial reports, including a 2017 report on federal officials' travel and recent, unrelated, 2025 inspector general inquiries into MCPS procurement practices.

MCPS Procurement Issues: A late 2025 WJLA report indicated that the Office of the Inspector General found that MCPS spent over $1 million without proper board approval during FY23 and FY24.
Irrelevant Data: The "$500K" figure in similar queries likely refers to a 2017 CBS News report concerning former HHS Secretary Tom Price's travel, not a school district trip to China.

MCPS has since announced a corrective action plan to address these procurement concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this makes me like him more. I like that he’s not afraid to challenge the politicians and wont roll over for them.

Same here. His reply was honest.

+2
We haven't had a superintendent who was strongly leading the district despite politicians since Jerry Weast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adam Pagnucco posted an email that was forwarded to him from a community member who engaged with Taylor after Md. State Senator Cheryl Kagan criticized MCPS and Taylor for their decisions on Wootton. The response to the community member was quite revealing and Pagnucco reprinted it since he felt it revealed something about Taylor's character and/or his state of mind.

SOURCE: https://montgomeryperspective.com/2026/02/23/taylor-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen-they-fire-me/

Taylor’s email to the reader is printed below.

*****

This really means a lot. The data is what the data is – I can’t change it. Politicians who chest-thump is nothing new in Montgomery County. I work for politicians, but I am not one and I also don’t wobble when they fuss (this makes them uncomfortable). Been doing this a long time…what’s the worst that could happen? They fire me? …great! Maybe I’ll get a full night’s sleep for once. 🙂

In all seriousness, the state has no role in this, especially individual legislators. We’ll get through this. And yes – Magruder finally has a clear path! They will be in the next CIP…I just wish it didn’t take so dang long to get stuff done around here.

Again, thanks for reaching out. Onward…!

All my best,

Thomas

Oh, I like him now.
I didn’t really have an opinion of him before, but now...

How is it that all the I love Taylor posts haven't been able to name one thing they like about him except this one email?

The thing they like about him is that he is anti-parent. The people who love Taylor hate the parents and students they're supposed to serve.

I'd give Taylor a mixed review. He's made choices or proposals I support, choices I don't, and choices I have no feeling about because they don't concern me. I think you've nailed his supporters here, at least, with this comment. Look at the person posting in every thread with comments about "Mad Mommies," as if it's inherently insulting to be a parent who has opinions about the schools.

I'm not sold that Taylor himself has this attitude, but the email does give me pause. He talks about the opinions of politicians who "fuss," but the criticism of closing Wootton is coming from politicians because it's how their constituents feel. I don't care about Wootton in particular, but the Superintendent should be responsive to the concerns of parents when making a big change like that. It doesn't necessarily mean making a different choice, but I don't love how it seems like he's thinking about the response to the proposal.

Correct.

In Montgomery County, every decision will have supporters and detractors. That's a given. But Taylor and MCPS typically run afoul by not being transparent, honest and consistent with their own rules and policies.

Taylor is signaling here that he doesn't care about being fair or consistent and believes that he alone knows what's best for everyone.

The politicians are doing their job of advocating on behalf of their constituents. That he doesn't respect the political process and roles and responsibilities of the public and elected officials is troubling.

A sign of a dictator is when they attack politicians for doing their job. Beware of Taylor.

From working in MCPS and hearing stories of how he is in meetings with supervisors who have tried to present data and explain why the changes he's making are a bad idea, this fits exactly. I've been told he has no curiosity for understanding how/why things are the way they are, which could help him pinpoint the actual issues that need changing. Instead, the philosophy is that he knows best and you are gaslit if you say, for example "it's harder to do X job because you cut X positions last year" and the response is just "no, I actually gave more support to X area." Just blatantly false statements that can be debunked by his own budget. However TT and his minions are great at doublespeak and are very insistent that the natural consequences of his choices just haven't happened or couldn't possibly happen. This is why so many people have fled central office positions. Not just people whose positions were cut but people in the mid level who keep the system afloat with their institutional knowledge are over the incompetency. You now have people running things who literally know nothing about their area/programs. I think TT and co see this as a positive to "root out" the naysayers. It's all going to come crashing down eventually when you wind up with no one with any expertise!

Agreed. He is an arrogant narcissist who hammers at staff and thinks he has all the answers. We can’t fire him fast enough.

Lol. I'm a TT fan except for the electric bus part. Other than that he's good. I haven't seen the 'bocce ball millionaire' or 'kids museum' ghost schools issues popping up lately? Hopefully he'll stay a while.

Taylor sent a few kids and staff to China to play pickleball.
Air fare alone was $500K.

MCPS didn't fund those trips though. A quick google search shows this

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) pickleball diplomacy program, which facilitates exchange trips with China, is primarily funded and supported by the Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange. The initiative is supported by local partners, including JOOLA and Dill Dinkers.

Key details regarding the program's support include:
Trip Funding: The Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange funded the travel.

Equipment and Gear: JOOLA, based in Montgomery County, provides paddles and apparel for the delegation.

Training and Practice: Dill Dinkers hosts weekly practices for the student-athletes.

Support: The program received encouragement from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The program aims to foster cross-cultural friendship through sport.

A quick search of MCPS shows Taylor bought $500,000 of airfare on Air China.

Based on available reports and search results, there is no evidence that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) spent $500,000 on airfare to China. The claim appears to confuse various financial reports, including a 2017 report on federal officials' travel and recent, unrelated, 2025 inspector general inquiries into MCPS procurement practices.

MCPS Procurement Issues: A late 2025 WJLA report indicated that the Office of the Inspector General found that MCPS spent over $1 million without proper board approval during FY23 and FY24.
Irrelevant Data: The "$500K" figure in similar queries likely refers to a 2017 CBS News report concerning former HHS Secretary Tom Price's travel, not a school district trip to China.

MCPS has since announced a corrective action plan to address these procurement concerns.

LOL
AI can’t find the spending. That makes MCPS very happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adam Pagnucco posted an email that was forwarded to him from a community member who engaged with Taylor after Md. State Senator Cheryl Kagan criticized MCPS and Taylor for their decisions on Wootton. The response to the community member was quite revealing and Pagnucco reprinted it since he felt it revealed something about Taylor's character and/or his state of mind.

SOURCE: https://montgomeryperspective.com/2026/02/23/taylor-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen-they-fire-me/

Taylor’s email to the reader is printed below.

*****

This really means a lot. The data is what the data is – I can’t change it. Politicians who chest-thump is nothing new in Montgomery County. I work for politicians, but I am not one and I also don’t wobble when they fuss (this makes them uncomfortable). Been doing this a long time…what’s the worst that could happen? They fire me? …great! Maybe I’ll get a full night’s sleep for once. 🙂

In all seriousness, the state has no role in this, especially individual legislators. We’ll get through this. And yes – Magruder finally has a clear path! They will be in the next CIP…I just wish it didn’t take so dang long to get stuff done around here.

Again, thanks for reaching out. Onward…!

All my best,

Thomas

Oh, I like him now.
I didn’t really have an opinion of him before, but now...

How is it that all the I love Taylor posts haven't been able to name one thing they like about him except this one email?

The thing they like about him is that he is anti-parent. The people who love Taylor hate the parents and students they're supposed to serve.

I'd give Taylor a mixed review. He's made choices or proposals I support, choices I don't, and choices I have no feeling about because they don't concern me. I think you've nailed his supporters here, at least, with this comment. Look at the person posting in every thread with comments about "Mad Mommies," as if it's inherently insulting to be a parent who has opinions about the schools.

I'm not sold that Taylor himself has this attitude, but the email does give me pause. He talks about the opinions of politicians who "fuss," but the criticism of closing Wootton is coming from politicians because it's how their constituents feel. I don't care about Wootton in particular, but the Superintendent should be responsive to the concerns of parents when making a big change like that. It doesn't necessarily mean making a different choice, but I don't love how it seems like he's thinking about the response to the proposal.

Correct.

In Montgomery County, every decision will have supporters and detractors. That's a given. But Taylor and MCPS typically run afoul by not being transparent, honest and consistent with their own rules and policies.

Taylor is signaling here that he doesn't care about being fair or consistent and believes that he alone knows what's best for everyone.

The politicians are doing their job of advocating on behalf of their constituents. That he doesn't respect the political process and roles and responsibilities of the public and elected officials is troubling.

A sign of a dictator is when they attack politicians for doing their job. Beware of Taylor.

From working in MCPS and hearing stories of how he is in meetings with supervisors who have tried to present data and explain why the changes he's making are a bad idea, this fits exactly. I've been told he has no curiosity for understanding how/why things are the way they are, which could help him pinpoint the actual issues that need changing. Instead, the philosophy is that he knows best and you are gaslit if you say, for example "it's harder to do X job because you cut X positions last year" and the response is just "no, I actually gave more support to X area." Just blatantly false statements that can be debunked by his own budget. However TT and his minions are great at doublespeak and are very insistent that the natural consequences of his choices just haven't happened or couldn't possibly happen. This is why so many people have fled central office positions. Not just people whose positions were cut but people in the mid level who keep the system afloat with their institutional knowledge are over the incompetency. You now have people running things who literally know nothing about their area/programs. I think TT and co see this as a positive to "root out" the naysayers. It's all going to come crashing down eventually when you wind up with no one with any expertise!

Agreed. He is an arrogant narcissist who hammers at staff and thinks he has all the answers. We can’t fire him fast enough.

Lol. I'm a TT fan except for the electric bus part. Other than that he's good. I haven't seen the 'bocce ball millionaire' or 'kids museum' ghost schools issues popping up lately? Hopefully he'll stay a while.

Taylor sent a few kids and staff to China to play pickleball.
Air fare alone was $500K.

MCPS didn't fund those trips though. A quick google search shows this

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) pickleball diplomacy program, which facilitates exchange trips with China, is primarily funded and supported by the Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange. The initiative is supported by local partners, including JOOLA and Dill Dinkers.

Key details regarding the program's support include:
Trip Funding: The Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange funded the travel.

Equipment and Gear: JOOLA, based in Montgomery County, provides paddles and apparel for the delegation.

Training and Practice: Dill Dinkers hosts weekly practices for the student-athletes.

Support: The program received encouragement from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The program aims to foster cross-cultural friendship through sport.

A quick search of MCPS shows Taylor bought $500,000 of airfare on Air China.

Based on available reports and search results, there is no evidence that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) spent $500,000 on airfare to China. The claim appears to confuse various financial reports, including a 2017 report on federal officials' travel and recent, unrelated, 2025 inspector general inquiries into MCPS procurement practices.

MCPS Procurement Issues: A late 2025 WJLA report indicated that the Office of the Inspector General found that MCPS spent over $1 million without proper board approval during FY23 and FY24.
Irrelevant Data: The "$500K" figure in similar queries likely refers to a 2017 CBS News report concerning former HHS Secretary Tom Price's travel, not a school district trip to China.

MCPS has since announced a corrective action plan to address these procurement concerns.

LOL
AI can’t find the spending. That makes MCPS very happy.

How about you find it and present it then? Or will that interfere with your busy day of doing nothing as a stay at home mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this makes me like him more. I like that he’s not afraid to challenge the politicians and wont roll over for them.

Same here. His reply was honest.

+2
We haven't had a superintendent who was strongly leading the district despite politicians since Jerry Weast.

Jerry Weast had councilmembers to his house on Fridays for poker games. It was well known. Weast worked closely with the council.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adam Pagnucco posted an email that was forwarded to him from a community member who engaged with Taylor after Md. State Senator Cheryl Kagan criticized MCPS and Taylor for their decisions on Wootton. The response to the community member was quite revealing and Pagnucco reprinted it since he felt it revealed something about Taylor's character and/or his state of mind.

SOURCE: https://montgomeryperspective.com/2026/02/23/taylor-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen-they-fire-me/

Taylor’s email to the reader is printed below.

*****

This really means a lot. The data is what the data is – I can’t change it. Politicians who chest-thump is nothing new in Montgomery County. I work for politicians, but I am not one and I also don’t wobble when they fuss (this makes them uncomfortable). Been doing this a long time…what’s the worst that could happen? They fire me? …great! Maybe I’ll get a full night’s sleep for once. 🙂

In all seriousness, the state has no role in this, especially individual legislators. We’ll get through this. And yes – Magruder finally has a clear path! They will be in the next CIP…I just wish it didn’t take so dang long to get stuff done around here.

Again, thanks for reaching out. Onward…!

All my best,

Thomas

Oh, I like him now.
I didn’t really have an opinion of him before, but now...

How is it that all the I love Taylor posts haven't been able to name one thing they like about him except this one email?

The thing they like about him is that he is anti-parent. The people who love Taylor hate the parents and students they're supposed to serve.

I'd give Taylor a mixed review. He's made choices or proposals I support, choices I don't, and choices I have no feeling about because they don't concern me. I think you've nailed his supporters here, at least, with this comment. Look at the person posting in every thread with comments about "Mad Mommies," as if it's inherently insulting to be a parent who has opinions about the schools.

I'm not sold that Taylor himself has this attitude, but the email does give me pause. He talks about the opinions of politicians who "fuss," but the criticism of closing Wootton is coming from politicians because it's how their constituents feel. I don't care about Wootton in particular, but the Superintendent should be responsive to the concerns of parents when making a big change like that. It doesn't necessarily mean making a different choice, but I don't love how it seems like he's thinking about the response to the proposal.

Correct.

In Montgomery County, every decision will have supporters and detractors. That's a given. But Taylor and MCPS typically run afoul by not being transparent, honest and consistent with their own rules and policies.

Taylor is signaling here that he doesn't care about being fair or consistent and believes that he alone knows what's best for everyone.

The politicians are doing their job of advocating on behalf of their constituents. That he doesn't respect the political process and roles and responsibilities of the public and elected officials is troubling.

A sign of a dictator is when they attack politicians for doing their job. Beware of Taylor.

From working in MCPS and hearing stories of how he is in meetings with supervisors who have tried to present data and explain why the changes he's making are a bad idea, this fits exactly. I've been told he has no curiosity for understanding how/why things are the way they are, which could help him pinpoint the actual issues that need changing. Instead, the philosophy is that he knows best and you are gaslit if you say, for example "it's harder to do X job because you cut X positions last year" and the response is just "no, I actually gave more support to X area." Just blatantly false statements that can be debunked by his own budget. However TT and his minions are great at doublespeak and are very insistent that the natural consequences of his choices just haven't happened or couldn't possibly happen. This is why so many people have fled central office positions. Not just people whose positions were cut but people in the mid level who keep the system afloat with their institutional knowledge are over the incompetency. You now have people running things who literally know nothing about their area/programs. I think TT and co see this as a positive to "root out" the naysayers. It's all going to come crashing down eventually when you wind up with no one with any expertise!

Agreed. He is an arrogant narcissist who hammers at staff and thinks he has all the answers. We can’t fire him fast enough.

Lol. I'm a TT fan except for the electric bus part. Other than that he's good. I haven't seen the 'bocce ball millionaire' or 'kids museum' ghost schools issues popping up lately? Hopefully he'll stay a while.

Taylor sent a few kids and staff to China to play pickleball.
Air fare alone was $500K.

MCPS didn't fund those trips though. A quick google search shows this

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) pickleball diplomacy program, which facilitates exchange trips with China, is primarily funded and supported by the Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange. The initiative is supported by local partners, including JOOLA and Dill Dinkers.

Key details regarding the program's support include:
Trip Funding: The Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange funded the travel.

Equipment and Gear: JOOLA, based in Montgomery County, provides paddles and apparel for the delegation.

Training and Practice: Dill Dinkers hosts weekly practices for the student-athletes.

Support: The program received encouragement from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The program aims to foster cross-cultural friendship through sport.

A quick search of MCPS shows Taylor bought $500,000 of airfare on Air China.

Based on available reports and search results, there is no evidence that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) spent $500,000 on airfare to China. The claim appears to confuse various financial reports, including a 2017 report on federal officials' travel and recent, unrelated, 2025 inspector general inquiries into MCPS procurement practices.

MCPS Procurement Issues: A late 2025 WJLA report indicated that the Office of the Inspector General found that MCPS spent over $1 million without proper board approval during FY23 and FY24.
Irrelevant Data: The "$500K" figure in similar queries likely refers to a 2017 CBS News report concerning former HHS Secretary Tom Price's travel, not a school district trip to China.

MCPS has since announced a corrective action plan to address these procurement concerns.

LOL
AI can’t find the spending. That makes MCPS very happy.

How about you find it and present it then? Or will that interfere with your busy day of ldoing nothing as a stay at home mom

It has already been made public.

[Anonymous]

I’m confused. Why is mcps hosting Pickleballers from China?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adam Pagnucco posted an email that was forwarded to him from a community member who engaged with Taylor after Md. State Senator Cheryl Kagan criticized MCPS and Taylor for their decisions on Wootton. The response to the community member was quite revealing and Pagnucco reprinted it since he felt it revealed something about Taylor's character and/or his state of mind.

SOURCE: https://montgomeryperspective.com/2026/02/23/taylor-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen-they-fire-me/

Taylor’s email to the reader is printed below.

*****

This really means a lot. The data is what the data is – I can’t change it. Politicians who chest-thump is nothing new in Montgomery County. I work for politicians, but I am not one and I also don’t wobble when they fuss (this makes them uncomfortable). Been doing this a long time…what’s the worst that could happen? They fire me? …great! Maybe I’ll get a full night’s sleep for once. 🙂

In all seriousness, the state has no role in this, especially individual legislators. We’ll get through this. And yes – Magruder finally has a clear path! They will be in the next CIP…I just wish it didn’t take so dang long to get stuff done around here.

Again, thanks for reaching out. Onward…!

All my best,

Thomas

Oh, I like him now.
I didn’t really have an opinion of him before, but now...

How is it that all the I love Taylor posts haven't been able to name one thing they like about him except this one email?

The thing they like about him is that he is anti-parent. The people who love Taylor hate the parents and students they're supposed to serve.

I'd give Taylor a mixed review. He's made choices or proposals I support, choices I don't, and choices I have no feeling about because they don't concern me. I think you've nailed his supporters here, at least, with this comment. Look at the person posting in every thread with comments about "Mad Mommies," as if it's inherently insulting to be a parent who has opinions about the schools.

I'm not sold that Taylor himself has this attitude, but the email does give me pause. He talks about the opinions of politicians who "fuss," but the criticism of closing Wootton is coming from politicians because it's how their constituents feel. I don't care about Wootton in particular, but the Superintendent should be responsive to the concerns of parents when making a big change like that. It doesn't necessarily mean making a different choice, but I don't love how it seems like he's thinking about the response to the proposal.

Correct.

In Montgomery County, every decision will have supporters and detractors. That's a given. But Taylor and MCPS typically run afoul by not being transparent, honest and consistent with their own rules and policies.

Taylor is signaling here that he doesn't care about being fair or consistent and believes that he alone knows what's best for everyone.

The politicians are doing their job of advocating on behalf of their constituents. That he doesn't respect the political process and roles and responsibilities of the public and elected officials is troubling.

A sign of a dictator is when they attack politicians for doing their job. Beware of Taylor.

From working in MCPS and hearing stories of how he is in meetings with supervisors who have tried to present data and explain why the changes he's making are a bad idea, this fits exactly. I've been told he has no curiosity for understanding how/why things are the way they are, which could help him pinpoint the actual issues that need changing. Instead, the philosophy is that he knows best and you are gaslit if you say, for example "it's harder to do X job because you cut X positions last year" and the response is just "no, I actually gave more support to X area." Just blatantly false statements that can be debunked by his own budget. However TT and his minions are great at doublespeak and are very insistent that the natural consequences of his choices just haven't happened or couldn't possibly happen. This is why so many people have fled central office positions. Not just people whose positions were cut but people in the mid level who keep the system afloat with their institutional knowledge are over the incompetency. You now have people running things who literally know nothing about their area/programs. I think TT and co see this as a positive to "root out" the naysayers. It's all going to come crashing down eventually when you wind up with no one with any expertise!

Agreed. He is an arrogant narcissist who hammers at staff and thinks he has all the answers. We can’t fire him fast enough.

Lol. I'm a TT fan except for the electric bus part. Other than that he's good. I haven't seen the 'bocce ball millionaire' or 'kids museum' ghost schools issues popping up lately? Hopefully he'll stay a while.

Taylor sent a few kids and staff to China to play pickleball.
Air fare alone was $500K.

MCPS didn't fund those trips though. A quick google search shows this

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) pickleball diplomacy program, which facilitates exchange trips with China, is primarily funded and supported by the Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange. The initiative is supported by local partners, including JOOLA and Dill Dinkers.

Key details regarding the program's support include:
Trip Funding: The Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange funded the travel.

Equipment and Gear: JOOLA, based in Montgomery County, provides paddles and apparel for the delegation.

Training and Practice: Dill Dinkers hosts weekly practices for the student-athletes.

Support: The program received encouragement from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The program aims to foster cross-cultural friendship through sport.

A quick search of MCPS shows Taylor bought $500,000 of airfare on Air China.

Based on available reports and search results, there is no evidence that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) spent $500,000 on airfare to China. The claim appears to confuse various financial reports, including a 2017 report on federal officials' travel and recent, unrelated, 2025 inspector general inquiries into MCPS procurement practices.

MCPS Procurement Issues: A late 2025 WJLA report indicated that the Office of the Inspector General found that MCPS spent over $1 million without proper board approval during FY23 and FY24.
Irrelevant Data: The "$500K" figure in similar queries likely refers to a 2017 CBS News report concerning former HHS Secretary Tom Price's travel, not a school district trip to China.

MCPS has since announced a corrective action plan to address these procurement concerns.

LOL
AI can’t find the spending. That makes MCPS very happy.

How about you find it and present it then? Or will that interfere with your busy day of ldoing nothing as a stay at home mom

It has already been made public.

NP here. Please share your source, becuase a PP shared concrete information demonstrating that this is a cultural diplomacy effort funded by the Government of China.

Now, we can discuss whether exposing MCPS kids to PRC propaganda is a good idea, but: A) Cultural diplomacy has been ongoing since the Cold War, and is generally regarded as a good thing; and B) There is zero evidence that this cost MCPS money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m confused. Why is mcps hosting Pickleballers from China?

It's cultural diplomacy. https://www.si.com/high-school/maryland/mcps-pickleball-diplomacy-initiative-prepares-for-second-cultural-exchange-with-china-01kggdygzpm4

Honestly, this is pretty normal, even if the fact that it is China makes it a little unusual. The US does this all the time, or at least did under every Administration before the current one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adam Pagnucco posted an email that was forwarded to him from a community member who engaged with Taylor after Md. State Senator Cheryl Kagan criticized MCPS and Taylor for their decisions on Wootton. The response to the community member was quite revealing and Pagnucco reprinted it since he felt it revealed something about Taylor's character and/or his state of mind.

SOURCE: https://montgomeryperspective.com/2026/02/23/taylor-whats-the-worst-that-could-happen-they-fire-me/

Taylor’s email to the reader is printed below.

*****

This really means a lot. The data is what the data is – I can’t change it. Politicians who chest-thump is nothing new in Montgomery County. I work for politicians, but I am not one and I also don’t wobble when they fuss (this makes them uncomfortable). Been doing this a long time…what’s the worst that could happen? They fire me? …great! Maybe I’ll get a full night’s sleep for once. 🙂

In all seriousness, the state has no role in this, especially individual legislators. We’ll get through this. And yes – Magruder finally has a clear path! They will be in the next CIP…I just wish it didn’t take so dang long to get stuff done around here.

Again, thanks for reaching out. Onward…!

All my best,

Thomas

Oh, I like him now.
I didn’t really have an opinion of him before, but now...

How is it that all the I love Taylor posts haven't been able to name one thing they like about him except this one email?

The thing they like about him is that he is anti-parent. The people who love Taylor hate the parents and students they're supposed to serve.

I'd give Taylor a mixed review. He's made choices or proposals I support, choices I don't, and choices I have no feeling about because they don't concern me. I think you've nailed his supporters here, at least, with this comment. Look at the person posting in every thread with comments about "Mad Mommies," as if it's inherently insulting to be a parent who has opinions about the schools.

I'm not sold that Taylor himself has this attitude, but the email does give me pause. He talks about the opinions of politicians who "fuss," but the criticism of closing Wootton is coming from politicians because it's how their constituents feel. I don't care about Wootton in particular, but the Superintendent should be responsive to the concerns of parents when making a big change like that. It doesn't necessarily mean making a different choice, but I don't love how it seems like he's thinking about the response to the proposal.

Correct.

In Montgomery County, every decision will have supporters and detractors. That's a given. But Taylor and MCPS typically run afoul by not being transparent, honest and consistent with their own rules and policies.

Taylor is signaling here that he doesn't care about being fair or consistent and believes that he alone knows what's best for everyone.

The politicians are doing their job of advocating on behalf of their constituents. That he doesn't respect the political process and roles and responsibilities of the public and elected officials is troubling.

A sign of a dictator is when they attack politicians for doing their job. Beware of Taylor.

From working in MCPS and hearing stories of how he is in meetings with supervisors who have tried to present data and explain why the changes he's making are a bad idea, this fits exactly. I've been told he has no curiosity for understanding how/why things are the way they are, which could help him pinpoint the actual issues that need changing. Instead, the philosophy is that he knows best and you are gaslit if you say, for example "it's harder to do X job because you cut X positions last year" and the response is just "no, I actually gave more support to X area." Just blatantly false statements that can be debunked by his own budget. However TT and his minions are great at doublespeak and are very insistent that the natural consequences of his choices just haven't happened or couldn't possibly happen. This is why so many people have fled central office positions. Not just people whose positions were cut but people in the mid level who keep the system afloat with their institutional knowledge are over the incompetency. You now have people running things who literally know nothing about their area/programs. I think TT and co see this as a positive to "root out" the naysayers. It's all going to come crashing down eventually when you wind up with no one with any expertise!

Agreed. He is an arrogant narcissist who hammers at staff and thinks he has all the answers. We can’t fire him fast enough.

Lol. I'm a TT fan except for the electric bus part. Other than that he's good. I haven't seen the 'bocce ball millionaire' or 'kids museum' ghost schools issues popping up lately? Hopefully he'll stay a while.

Taylor sent a few kids and staff to China to play pickleball.
Air fare alone was $500K.

MCPS didn't fund those trips though. A quick google search shows this

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) pickleball diplomacy program, which facilitates exchange trips with China, is primarily funded and supported by the Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange. The initiative is supported by local partners, including JOOLA and Dill Dinkers.

Key details regarding the program's support include:
Trip Funding: The Ministry of Education of China and the China Education Association for International Exchange funded the travel.

Equipment and Gear: JOOLA, based in Montgomery County, provides paddles and apparel for the delegation.

Training and Practice: Dill Dinkers hosts weekly practices for the student-athletes.

Support: The program received encouragement from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The program aims to foster cross-cultural friendship through sport.

A quick search of MCPS shows Taylor bought $500,000 of airfare on Air China.

Based on available reports and search results, there is no evidence that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) spent $500,000 on airfare to China. The claim appears to confuse various financial reports, including a 2017 report on federal officials' travel and recent, unrelated, 2025 inspector general inquiries into MCPS procurement practices.

MCPS Procurement Issues: A late 2025 WJLA report indicated that the Office of the Inspector General found that MCPS spent over $1 million without proper board approval during FY23 and FY24.
Irrelevant Data: The "$500K" figure in similar queries likely refers to a 2017 CBS News report concerning former HHS Secretary Tom Price's travel, not a school district trip to China.

MCPS has since announced a corrective action plan to address these procurement concerns.

LOL
AI can’t find the spending. That makes MCPS very happy.

How about you find it and present it then? Or will that interfere with your busy day of ldoing nothing as a stay at home mom

It has already been made public.

NP here. Please share your source, becuase a PP shared concrete information demonstrating that this is a cultural diplomacy effort funded by the Government of China.

Now, we can discuss whether exposing MCPS kids to PRC propaganda is a good idea, but: A) Cultural diplomacy has been ongoing since the Cold War, and is generally regarded as a good thing; and B) There is zero evidence that this cost MCPS money.

AI isn't a concrete source. The $525,075 spent on Air China airline is on the MCPS website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The email is fine. You all love to complain about everything. It is a nightmare job.

Yep there is absolutely nothing wrong with his email.

There’s plenty wrong with it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The email is fine. You all love to complain about everything. It is a nightmare job.

Yep there is absolutely nothing wrong with his email.

There’s plenty wrong with it

+1

Sends a terrible message that he dgaf and won't listen to anyone