New Superintendent to be named on February 8th

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I. know she's done an amazing job in light of the mess she was handed. She's got my vote!

Wait. Wasn't she the Deputy Sup before? it's a nice spin though - try to make it look like it wasn't her issue.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/superintendent/bio.aspx

This WAS her own mess to clean up. Plus, all the really bad stuff happened on HER watch, so she can't blame anyone else.

Let’s be clear.

McKnight is not responsible for anything that happened while she was deputy.
McKnight is not responsible for anything that happened while she was interim.
McKnight will not be responsible for anything that will happen when she is the superintendent.

You woke up at 7:56am on a Sunday to reply? This was the first thing on your mind when you woke up?? Crazy idea: give her the contract. In Maryland, Supers can only serve 4 year terms -- they can't get extensions for 1 year, 2 years, etc. If she isn't showing progressing leadership qualities by the end of the term, and results aren't improving (though it takes more time and requires the same people building on their predecessor as the average superintendent serves 3 years), then don't renew. God, why does DCUM have to be so crazy, unreasonable, and uptight? Sometimes I feel like there are 5 year olds on these threads, not middle age folks.

I’m the PP you are trying to make fun of. I get up at 5:30 AM on weekdays and 6:30 AM on weekends for me is sleeping in. This is normal for many adults with kids.

To the substance of your proposal, why should she get a 4 year trial period when she’s just had a trial period and has been found wanting? What sense does that make? In addition and this is important, when this county does not extend the contacts of supers it makes it harder to attract good candidates. When Starrs contract was not extended, it was extraordinarily hard to get recruit good candidates and I understand that Smith had to basically be begged to take it. So whoever is appointed should be considered permanent and you yourself admit that wouldn’t be a good idea based on her record so far.

A lot to decipher here. Wasn't trying to make fun of you, it's just an awkward time to hop on DCUM is all.

I never said that the 4 years was a "trial period" by any means. The point I wanted to assert is that Superintendent contracts can be cancelled or non-renewed at any time. It will take multiple years for someone to fully grasp the dynamics of such a huge, diverse school district, not to mention the politics that come with it. Let's be real: as much as it should be about kids, it's equally about the relationships with internal and external partners as well and the appearance of looking in control, not the substance/follow through (which she has shown).

Smith didn't have to be "begged". The original candidate, Andrew Houlihan, declined the offer when he was Houston's Chief Academic Officer because the Board was fractured at that time. He had thrown his name in there just for the sake of it and didn't actually expect to get it, just to angle for bigger districts in the future because, hey, he was a "finalist" for MCPS. Hence why he withdrew his candidacy the next day. How does all of that lead to me saying it's not a good idea to hire her based on record? I think it's better than people give her credit for. Sure, some things could've been handled differently on her part, but you can't please everyone and she's a quick study. Show me someone who is mastering the unpredictable COVID environment right now.

DC Public Schools had a plan for at home testing of all students and staff before returning to classrooms after winter break. They had a plan for weekly testing. For both cases, students and staff needed to show negative results to be in class.

What was Central Office doing on winter break. Dr. McKnight gave them time off with pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I never said that the 4 years was a "trial period" by any means. The point I wanted to assert is that Superintendent contracts can be cancelled or non-renewed at any time. It will take multiple years for someone to fully grasp the dynamics of such a huge, diverse school district, not to mention the politics that come with it. Let's be real: as much as it should be about kids, it's equally about the relationships with internal and external partners as well and the appearance of looking in control, not the substance/follow through (which she has shown).

Really? I think you need glasses.

"Frantic parents watched in disbelief, waiting for their children to be released at Magruder High School" "As parents continued to wait, students were held inside for more than two hours after the suspect was apprehended while the Interim Superintendent made her way to the school. Parents have asked why it took the Interim Superintendent more than four hours to arrive on the scene. In addition, many parents watched in frustration as the press conference started and their children were still in the building. One parent asked, “Why are they congratulating themselves on a job well done before we even get to see our kids?” Students were released after 5:45pm more than four hours after lockdown began and more than two hours after a student was apprehended."
https://original.newsbreak.com/@heather-jauquet-561408/2505040189085-frantic-parents-watched-in-disbelief-waiting-for-their-children-to-be-released-at-magruder-high-school

"Montgomery Co. Public Schools teacher’s union votes no confidence; council holding emergency session" "out of nearly 7,000 members voting in a day, around 94% voted "no confidence" in both the Montgomery County School Board and Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight." "the Montgomery County’s Education and Culture Committee is now planning an emergency session with MCPS next Thursday to discuss details not shared in the Wednesday night meeting." https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-co-public-schools-teachers-union-votes-no-confidence-council-holding-emergency-session

Again with the insults. The dismissal process has been clarified time and time again. It's a crime scene at that point and roads are blocked. During that time, they have to write a statement (she, communications, legal) and track the situation. County and State officials probably looped her in on calls as well. Every student and staff member needs to be accounted for, and some of them are in different classes because of Sweep & Scan mode. They have to figure out transportation and who is going to leave first, etc. Unions will always have dissatisfaction, and most members (teachers) did not vote. If you dislike her so strongly, did you apply for the position? Two words: Monifa Time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I never said that the 4 years was a "trial period" by any means. The point I wanted to assert is that Superintendent contracts can be cancelled or non-renewed at any time. It will take multiple years for someone to fully grasp the dynamics of such a huge, diverse school district, not to mention the politics that come with it. Let's be real: as much as it should be about kids, it's equally about the relationships with internal and external partners as well and the appearance of looking in control, not the substance/follow through (which she has shown).

Really? I think you need glasses.

"Frantic parents watched in disbelief, waiting for their children to be released at Magruder High School" "As parents continued to wait, students were held inside for more than two hours after the suspect was apprehended while the Interim Superintendent made her way to the school. Parents have asked why it took the Interim Superintendent more than four hours to arrive on the scene. In addition, many parents watched in frustration as the press conference started and their children were still in the building. One parent asked, “Why are they congratulating themselves on a job well done before we even get to see our kids?” Students were released after 5:45pm more than four hours after lockdown began and more than two hours after a student was apprehended."
https://original.newsbreak.com/@heather-jauquet-561408/2505040189085-frantic-parents-watched-in-disbelief-waiting-for-their-children-to-be-released-at-magruder-high-school

"Montgomery Co. Public Schools teacher’s union votes no confidence; council holding emergency session" "out of nearly 7,000 members voting in a day, around 94% voted "no confidence" in both the Montgomery County School Board and Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight." "the Montgomery County’s Education and Culture Committee is now planning an emergency session with MCPS next Thursday to discuss details not shared in the Wednesday night meeting." https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-co-public-schools-teachers-union-votes-no-confidence-council-holding-emergency-session

Again with the insults. The dismissal process has been clarified time and time again. It's a crime scene at that point and roads are blocked. During that time, they have to write a statement (she, communications, legal) and track the situation. County and State officials probably looped her in on calls as well. Every student and staff member needs to be accounted for, and some of them are in different classes because of Sweep & Scan mode. They have to figure out transportation and who is going to leave first, etc. Unions will always have dissatisfaction, and most members (teachers) did not vote. If you dislike her so strongly, did you apply for the position? Two words: Monifa Time.

Blaming the police for the press conference? Nah.

MCEA vote? Sure, about half of the entire membership voted.. in one day, right? The polls MCPS normally does takes what, weeks? Months? So she's going to take over and provide leadership to a bunch of teachers pissed off at her? How well do you think that would work?

And if the MCEA doesn't listen to her, then what? Maybe she'll call in the National Guard to teach students?

"The request for assistance for 200 bus drivers was submitted on behalf of MCPS to the Maryland State Department of Emergency Management (MDEM)" "A spokesman from the Maryland Emergency Management agency said MDEM has not received any other requests for similar assistance from Maryland school systems."
https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-co-200-national-guard-troops-school-bus-driver-shortage-marc-elrich-montgomery-county-public-schools-larry-hogan

Is this who you really want in charge of your kids?

She was a Deputy Superintendent and an Interim Superintendent. Can you really say she didn't know better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I never said that the 4 years was a "trial period" by any means. The point I wanted to assert is that Superintendent contracts can be cancelled or non-renewed at any time. It will take multiple years for someone to fully grasp the dynamics of such a huge, diverse school district, not to mention the politics that come with it. Let's be real: as much as it should be about kids, it's equally about the relationships with internal and external partners as well and the appearance of looking in control, not the substance/follow through (which she has shown).

Really? I think you need glasses.

"Frantic parents watched in disbelief, waiting for their children to be released at Magruder High School" "As parents continued to wait, students were held inside for more than two hours after the suspect was apprehended while the Interim Superintendent made her way to the school. Parents have asked why it took the Interim Superintendent more than four hours to arrive on the scene. In addition, many parents watched in frustration as the press conference started and their children were still in the building. One parent asked, “Why are they congratulating themselves on a job well done before we even get to see our kids?” Students were released after 5:45pm more than four hours after lockdown began and more than two hours after a student was apprehended."
https://original.newsbreak.com/@heather-jauquet-561408/2505040189085-frantic-parents-watched-in-disbelief-waiting-for-their-children-to-be-released-at-magruder-high-school

"Montgomery Co. Public Schools teacher’s union votes no confidence; council holding emergency session" "out of nearly 7,000 members voting in a day, around 94% voted "no confidence" in both the Montgomery County School Board and Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight." "the Montgomery County’s Education and Culture Committee is now planning an emergency session with MCPS next Thursday to discuss details not shared in the Wednesday night meeting." https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-co-public-schools-teachers-union-votes-no-confidence-council-holding-emergency-session

Again with the insults. The dismissal process has been clarified time and time again. It's a crime scene at that point and roads are blocked. During that time, they have to write a statement (she, communications, legal) and track the situation. County and State officials probably looped her in on calls as well. Every student and staff member needs to be accounted for, and some of them are in different classes because of Sweep & Scan mode. They have to figure out transportation and who is going to leave first, etc. Unions will always have dissatisfaction, and most members (teachers) did not vote. If you dislike her so strongly, did you apply for the position? Two words: Monifa Time.

Blaming the police for the press conference? Nah.

MCEA vote? Sure, about half of the entire membership voted.. in one day, right? The polls MCPS normally does takes what, weeks? Months? So she's going to take over and provide leadership to a bunch of teachers pissed off at her? How well do you think that would work?

And if the MCEA doesn't listen to her, then what? Maybe she'll call in the National Guard to teach students?

"The request for assistance for 200 bus drivers was submitted on behalf of MCPS to the Maryland State Department of Emergency Management (MDEM)" "A spokesman from the Maryland Emergency Management agency said MDEM has not received any other requests for similar assistance from Maryland school systems."
https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-co-200-national-guard-troops-school-bus-driver-shortage-marc-elrich-montgomery-county-public-schools-larry-hogan

Is this who you really want in charge of your kids?

She was a Deputy Superintendent and an Interim Superintendent. Can you really say she didn't know better?

If trust is lost, she'll win them back. Many of them are tenured teachers and will do their own thing anyway -- welcome to the bureaucracy. Not gonna go back and forth here, will just end it with this: she is highly qualified and worthy of being in charge of my kids -- all of our kids across the district in fact. And that's what the result will be on Tuesday at 9am. Guaranteed.

[Anonymous]

trust**

[Anonymous]

If trust is lost, she'll win them back. Many of them are tenured teachers and will do their own thing anyway -- welcome to the bureaucracy. Not gonna go back and forth here, will just end it with this: she is highly qualified and worthy of being in charge of my kids -- all of our kids across the district in fact. And that's what the result will be on Tuesday at 9am. Guaranteed.

If these are examples of being "highly qualified" and "worthy" then you have exceptionally low standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I never said that the 4 years was a "trial period" by any means. The point I wanted to assert is that Superintendent contracts can be cancelled or non-renewed at any time. It will take multiple years for someone to fully grasp the dynamics of such a huge, diverse school district, not to mention the politics that come with it. Let's be real: as much as it should be about kids, it's equally about the relationships with internal and external partners as well and the appearance of looking in control, not the substance/follow through (which she has shown).

Really? I think you need glasses.

"Frantic parents watched in disbelief, waiting for their children to be released at Magruder High School" "As parents continued to wait, students were held inside for more than two hours after the suspect was apprehended while the Interim Superintendent made her way to the school. Parents have asked why it took the Interim Superintendent more than four hours to arrive on the scene. In addition, many parents watched in frustration as the press conference started and their children were still in the building. One parent asked, “Why are they congratulating themselves on a job well done before we even get to see our kids?” Students were released after 5:45pm more than four hours after lockdown began and more than two hours after a student was apprehended."
https://original.newsbreak.com/@heather-jauquet-561408/2505040189085-frantic-parents-watched-in-disbelief-waiting-for-their-children-to-be-released-at-magruder-high-school

"Montgomery Co. Public Schools teacher’s union votes no confidence; council holding emergency session" "out of nearly 7,000 members voting in a day, around 94% voted "no confidence" in both the Montgomery County School Board and Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight." "the Montgomery County’s Education and Culture Committee is now planning an emergency session with MCPS next Thursday to discuss details not shared in the Wednesday night meeting." https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-co-public-schools-teachers-union-votes-no-confidence-council-holding-emergency-session

Again with the insults. The dismissal process has been clarified time and time again. It's a crime scene at that point and roads are blocked. During that time, they have to write a statement (she, communications, legal) and track the situation. County and State officials probably looped her in on calls as well. Every student and staff member needs to be accounted for, and some of them are in different classes because of Sweep & Scan mode. They have to figure out transportation and who is going to leave first, etc. Unions will always have dissatisfaction, and most members (teachers) did not vote. If you dislike her so strongly, did you apply for the position? Two words: Monifa Time.

LOL. Students had to stay in lockdown for 2 hours and 45 minutes so Monica could write a statement?????????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I never said that the 4 years was a "trial period" by any means. The point I wanted to assert is that Superintendent contracts can be cancelled or non-renewed at any time. It will take multiple years for someone to fully grasp the dynamics of such a huge, diverse school district, not to mention the politics that come with it. Let's be real: as much as it should be about kids, it's equally about the relationships with internal and external partners as well and the appearance of looking in control, not the substance/follow through (which she has shown).

Really? I think you need glasses.

"Frantic parents watched in disbelief, waiting for their children to be released at Magruder High School" "As parents continued to wait, students were held inside for more than two hours after the suspect was apprehended while the Interim Superintendent made her way to the school. Parents have asked why it took the Interim Superintendent more than four hours to arrive on the scene. In addition, many parents watched in frustration as the press conference started and their children were still in the building. One parent asked, “Why are they congratulating themselves on a job well done before we even get to see our kids?” Students were released after 5:45pm more than four hours after lockdown began and more than two hours after a student was apprehended."
https://original.newsbreak.com/@heather-jauquet-561408/2505040189085-frantic-parents-watched-in-disbelief-waiting-for-their-children-to-be-released-at-magruder-high-school

"Montgomery Co. Public Schools teacher’s union votes no confidence; council holding emergency session" "out of nearly 7,000 members voting in a day, around 94% voted "no confidence" in both the Montgomery County School Board and Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight." "the Montgomery County’s Education and Culture Committee is now planning an emergency session with MCPS next Thursday to discuss details not shared in the Wednesday night meeting." https://www.fox5dc.com/news/montgomery-co-public-schools-teachers-union-votes-no-confidence-council-holding-emergency-session

Again with the insults. The dismissal process has been clarified time and time again. It's a crime scene at that point and roads are blocked. During that time, they have to write a statement (she, communications, legal) and track the situation. County and State officials probably looped her in on calls as well. Every student and staff member needs to be accounted for, and some of them are in different classes because of Sweep & Scan mode. They have to figure out transportation and who is going to leave first, etc. Unions will always have dissatisfaction, and most members (teachers) did not vote. If you dislike her so strongly, did you apply for the position? Two words: Monifa Time.

LOL. Students had to stay in lockdown for 2 hours and 45 minutes so Monica could write a statement?????????

The statement wasn't the only thing I mentioned. See here: "...track the situation. County and State officials probably looped her in on calls as well. Every student and staff member needs to be accounted for, and some of them are in different classes because of Sweep & Scan mode. They have to figure out transportation and who is going to leave first, etc. ". I even forgot to mention finding the victim/weapon, making sure other weapons weren't on premises, and securing Sequoyah ES nearby.

[Anonymous]

The statement wasn't the only thing I mentioned. See here: "...track the situation. County and State officials probably looped her in on calls as well. Every student and staff member needs to be accounted for, and some of them are in different classes because of Sweep & Scan mode. They have to figure out transportation and who is going to leave first, etc. ". I even forgot to mention finding the victim/weapon, making sure other weapons weren't on premises, and securing Sequoyah ES nearby.

The first statement is correct. There is a timeline issue between 3 PM, when buses were lined up at 4:30 PM and the question is why were students not released before the evening news?

"The suspect was located inside the school just before 3 p.m. A handgun was also found with that student."
"Buses were seen lined up at the school at 4:30 p.m. two hours after their regular dismissal time."
"Students were seen leaving the building just before 5:30 p.m."
https://wjla.com/news/local/student-injured-at-magruder-high-shooting-incident-lockdown-montgomery-county-public-schools

"At 4:16 p.m., Montgomery County Police tweeted that a press conference had been scheduled for 4:45 p.m. at Sequoyah Elementary School, about half a mile from Magruder's campus. The press conference, however, did not begin until around 5:40 p.m. Officials explained the delay was because MCPS Interim Superintendent Monifa McKnight had gotten stuck in traffic and needed a police escort."
https://wjla.com/news/local/magruder-high-school-derwood-shooting-student-bathroom-montgomery-county-public-schools-lockdown-police-officers-mcknight

In other words, the school was completely safe and could have been dismissed by at least 4:30 PM. Probably earlier since the buses were on standby, so maybe at a minimum at least 4 PM? (Guessing)

Sequoyah HS was half a mile away and had already been dismissed, so "securing Sequoyah ES nearby" meant for the press conference?

[Anonymous]

Two words: Monifa Time.

Hope this isn't a reference to "Hammer Time"? If so, that doesn't sound like someone willing to work with MCEA, teachers and parents. There will probably be a lot of lawsuits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Two words: Monifa Time.

Hope this isn't a reference to "Hammer Time"? If so, that doesn't sound like someone willing to work with MCEA, teachers and parents. There will probably be a lot of lawsuits.

Based on the number of complaints to OCR for retaliation, there’s a lot more than lawsuits MCPS should be concerned about. Whether Dr. McKnight or other officials know it, retaliation against an individual for filing a complaint is illegal. How far Dr. McKnight will take MCPS down that rabbit hole is up to the Board of Ed. They may want a close session with Dr. McKnight to ask what is going on before giving her a contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The statement wasn't the only thing I mentioned. See here: "...track the situation. County and State officials probably looped her in on calls as well. Every student and staff member needs to be accounted for, and some of them are in different classes because of Sweep & Scan mode. They have to figure out transportation and who is going to leave first, etc. ". I even forgot to mention finding the victim/weapon, making sure other weapons weren't on premises, and securing Sequoyah ES nearby.

The first statement is correct. There is a timeline issue between 3 PM, when buses were lined up at 4:30 PM and the question is why were students not released before the evening news?

"The suspect was located inside the school just before 3 p.m. A handgun was also found with that student."
"Buses were seen lined up at the school at 4:30 p.m. two hours after their regular dismissal time."
"Students were seen leaving the building just before 5:30 p.m."
https://wjla.com/news/local/student-injured-at-magruder-high-shooting-incident-lockdown-montgomery-county-public-schools

"At 4:16 p.m., Montgomery County Police tweeted that a press conference had been scheduled for 4:45 p.m. at Sequoyah Elementary School, about half a mile from Magruder's campus. The press conference, however, did not begin until around 5:40 p.m. Officials explained the delay was because MCPS Interim Superintendent Monifa McKnight had gotten stuck in traffic and needed a police escort."
https://wjla.com/news/local/magruder-high-school-derwood-shooting-student-bathroom-montgomery-county-public-schools-lockdown-police-officers-mcknight

In other words, the school was completely safe and could have been dismissed by at least 4:30 PM. Probably earlier since the buses were on standby, so maybe at a minimum at least 4 PM? (Guessing)

Sequoyah HS was half a mile away and had already been dismissed, so "securing Sequoyah ES nearby" meant for the press conference?

If Dr. McKnight is requiring teachers to be exposed to COVID by teaching in person, why isn’t she working in person at the Carver Center? Had she been at the Carver Center, she could have been to Sequoyah in 10 minutes without a police escort. Perhaps emergency situations is why Central Office staff should be required to work in Montgomery County. MCPS has nice cushy offices with computers to make working in Montgomery County possible.

[Anonymous]

Monifa was on vacation and had to hop the MCPS jet to get back. "Stuck in traffic?" As if.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

If trust is lost, she'll win them back. Many of them are tenured teachers and will do their own thing anyway -- welcome to the bureaucracy. Not gonna go back and forth here, will just end it with this: she is highly qualified and worthy of being in charge of my kids -- all of our kids across the district in fact. And that's what the result will be on Tuesday at 9am. Guaranteed.

If these are examples of being "highly qualified" and "worthy" then you have exceptionally low standards.

I would say she's not unqualified but certainly not highly qualified. A highly qualified candidate would be someone who has led a medium-to-large school system to a record of success for a sustained period of time. Dr. McKnight was principal of Ridgeview Middle School five years ago. She would be an appropriate superintendent candidate for a smaller school system first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

If trust is lost, she'll win them back. Many of them are tenured teachers and will do their own thing anyway -- welcome to the bureaucracy. Not gonna go back and forth here, will just end it with this: she is highly qualified and worthy of being in charge of my kids -- all of our kids across the district in fact. And that's what the result will be on Tuesday at 9am. Guaranteed.

If these are examples of being "highly qualified" and "worthy" then you have exceptionally low standards.

I would say she's not unqualified but certainly not highly qualified. A highly qualified candidate would be someone who has led a medium-to-large school system to a record of success for a sustained period of time. Dr. McKnight was principal of Ridgeview Middle School five years ago. She would be an appropriate superintendent candidate for a smaller school system first.

If she is hired, I will assume that no highly qualified candidates with a resume like that were interested in the job.