BOE - who are people voting for?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:If this is Zimmerman or her campaign staff trying to dismiss concerns about her running for the BOE while being a teacher, which is a legitimate conflict of interest to raise, come with a better strategy. The current approach is unpersuasive.

It is not a conflict of interest at all.

Of course it is. That's why she is going to have to resign.

The question was about running for the BOE while being a teacher, and there is no expectation of resigning unless she would win the election, in which case she would need to resign before being sworn in.

You're being pedantic. The conflict of interest continues if MCEA is going to pay her while she's on the BoE.

And there is no evidence to suggest that they would or will! Stop making things up.

Right, we don't know one way or the other because she won't say. But we have good reason to think MCEA recruited her to run, and we know she'll be out of a job if she wins. We also know Jennifer Martin and David Stein were some of her first campaign contributors.

Yes, Natalie Zimmerman is a loyal union member. She is also an experienced teacher, and can bring that experience to bear on the board of education. But really, what is the choice here? You can vote for Brenda Diaz, who is a combative lunatic, or Natalie Zimmerman, who can make a substantive contribution to the board's work.

Diaz won't be able to cause any harm because the other board members and central staff will block her.

The same isn't true for Zimmerman. If you're a parent, you really ought to be concerned about whether she will push policies that are good for students, or will she pusb policies that are for teachers.

MCPS has 136 elementary schools and hasn't had anyone on the board in years who has recent experience with them. That's how we ended up with curricula like the now-abandoned Benchmark, because no one had a clue. As a parent, I would be grateful to have an ES teacher with a seat at the table.

Her experience as an elementary school teacher isn't the concern. It's the heavy involvement from the union, and the strong likelihood she'll be a stooge.

I don't see any evidence of that "strong likelihood."

She's young teacher, with limited experience with MCPS, advocacy, and even teaching.

There are basically two possibilities here:
1) As someone suggested here, she's doing this as a "loyal" union member, and will follow their instructions as board business comes up. Or,
2) She was never been interested in teaching long-term, and plans to use this as stepping stone to a career in politics.

Neither is good.

This is Brenda Diaz, or one of her two acolytes, responding here, reduced to campaigning through DCUM. If people have sought out information about the two candidates, people can easily make a choice as the candidates have defining differences between them.

As is often the case with politics, we're forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. Diaz is crazy, and won't be able to do any damageon the Board, as no one else is going to share her views. Zimmerman, however, has a shot at pushing through policies that would be terrible for kids and parents, like increasing early release days in the calendar.

Have you never heard the analogy about the Nazi bar? One fascist is too many fascists.

Don't be ridiculous. She's many things, but she's not a fascist or a Nazi.

It's an analogy. https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/s/axYgmzNZuE

If analogies don't work for you, here's what happens when you put people like Brenda Diaz in charge of our children. https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/editorials/2024/10/02/bathrooms-with-a-view-cutting-windows-into-student-restrooms-is-a-new-level-of-weird/75479753007/

"Now, upon the advice of that law firm — the Harrisburg-based Independence Law Center — the board approved spending $8,700 to cut windows so passersby can look into the so-called “gender-identity” student bathrooms.

Yes, you read that correctly.

These adults want to make it easier for other people to watch your children while they’re in the bathroom. It’s absolutely mind-boggling."

Which five board members would plausibly vote for that?

The acceptable number is zero in this community.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is Zimmerman or her campaign staff trying to dismiss concerns about her running for the BOE while being a teacher, which is a legitimate conflict of interest to raise, come with a better strategy. The current approach is unpersuasive.

It is not a conflict of interest at all.

Of course it is. That's why she is going to have to resign.

The question was about running for the BOE while being a teacher, and there is no expectation of resigning unless she would win the election, in which case she would need to resign before being sworn in.

You're being pedantic. The conflict of interest continues if MCEA is going to pay her while she's on the BoE.

And there is no evidence to suggest that they would or will! Stop making things up.

Right, we don't know one way or the other because she won't say. But we have good reason to think MCEA recruited her to run, and we know she'll be out of a job if she wins. We also know Jennifer Martin and David Stein were some of her first campaign contributors.

Yes, Natalie Zimmerman is a loyal union member. She is also an experienced teacher, and can bring that experience to bear on the board of education. But really, what is the choice here? You can vote for Brenda Diaz, who is a combative lunatic, or Natalie Zimmerman, who can make a substantive contribution to the board's work.

Diaz won't be able to cause any harm because the other board members and central staff will block her.

The same isn't true for Zimmerman. If you're a parent, you really ought to be concerned about whether she will push policies that are good for students, or will she pusb policies that are for teachers.

MCPS has 136 elementary schools and hasn't had anyone on the board in years who has recent experience with them. That's how we ended up with curricula like the now-abandoned Benchmark, because no one had a clue. As a parent, I would be grateful to have an ES teacher with a seat at the table.

Her experience as an elementary school teacher isn't the concern. It's the heavy involvement from the union, and the strong likelihood she'll be a stooge.

I don't see any evidence of that "strong likelihood."

She's young teacher, with limited experience with MCPS, advocacy, and even teaching.

There are basically two possibilities here:
1) As someone suggested here, she's doing this as a "loyal" union member, and will follow their instructions as board business comes up. Or,
2) She was never been interested in teaching long-term, and plans to use this as stepping stone to a career in politics.

Neither is good.

This is Brenda Diaz, or one of her two acolytes, responding here, reduced to campaigning through DCUM. If people have sought out information about the two candidates, people can easily make a choice as the candidates have defining differences between them.

As is often the case with politics, we're forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. Diaz is crazy, and won't be able to do any damageon the Board, as no one else is going to share her views. Zimmerman, however, has a shot at pushing through policies that would be terrible for kids and parents, like increasing early release days in the calendar.

Have you never heard the analogy about the Nazi bar? One fascist is too many fascists.

Don't be ridiculous. She's many things, but she's not a fascist or a Nazi.

It's an analogy. https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/s/axYgmzNZuE

If analogies don't work for you, here's what happens when you put people like Brenda Diaz in charge of our children. https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/editorials/2024/10/02/bathrooms-with-a-view-cutting-windows-into-student-restrooms-is-a-new-level-of-weird/75479753007/

"Now, upon the advice of that law firm — the Harrisburg-based Independence Law Center — the board approved spending $8,700 to cut windows so passersby can look into the so-called “gender-identity” student bathrooms.

Yes, you read that correctly.

These adults want to make it easier for other people to watch your children while they’re in the bathroom. It’s absolutely mind-boggling."

Which five board members would plausibly vote for that?

The acceptable number is zero in this community.

I see. So you seem to agree that actually passing such policies isn't a plausible risk. Why aren't you concerned about the things that are plausible risks?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is Zimmerman or her campaign staff trying to dismiss concerns about her running for the BOE while being a teacher, which is a legitimate conflict of interest to raise, come with a better strategy. The current approach is unpersuasive.

It is not a conflict of interest at all.

Of course it is. That's why she is going to have to resign.

The question was about running for the BOE while being a teacher, and there is no expectation of resigning unless she would win the election, in which case she would need to resign before being sworn in.

You're being pedantic. The conflict of interest continues if MCEA is going to pay her while she's on the BoE.

And there is no evidence to suggest that they would or will! Stop making things up.

Right, we don't know one way or the other because she won't say. But we have good reason to think MCEA recruited her to run, and we know she'll be out of a job if she wins. We also know Jennifer Martin and David Stein were some of her first campaign contributors.

Yes, Natalie Zimmerman is a loyal union member. She is also an experienced teacher, and can bring that experience to bear on the board of education. But really, what is the choice here? You can vote for Brenda Diaz, who is a combative lunatic, or Natalie Zimmerman, who can make a substantive contribution to the board's work.

Diaz won't be able to cause any harm because the other board members and central staff will block her.

The same isn't true for Zimmerman. If you're a parent, you really ought to be concerned about whether she will push policies that are good for students, or will she pusb policies that are for teachers.

MCPS has 136 elementary schools and hasn't had anyone on the board in years who has recent experience with them. That's how we ended up with curricula like the now-abandoned Benchmark, because no one had a clue. As a parent, I would be grateful to have an ES teacher with a seat at the table.

Her experience as an elementary school teacher isn't the concern. It's the heavy involvement from the union, and the strong likelihood she'll be a stooge.

I don't see any evidence of that "strong likelihood."

She's young teacher, with limited experience with MCPS, advocacy, and even teaching.

There are basically two possibilities here:
1) As someone suggested here, she's doing this as a "loyal" union member, and will follow their instructions as board business comes up. Or,
2) She was never been interested in teaching long-term, and plans to use this as stepping stone to a career in politics.

Neither is good.

This is Brenda Diaz, or one of her two acolytes, responding here, reduced to campaigning through DCUM. If people have sought out information about the two candidates, people can easily make a choice as the candidates have defining differences between them.

As is often the case with politics, we're forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. Diaz is crazy, and won't be able to do any damageon the Board, as no one else is going to share her views. Zimmerman, however, has a shot at pushing through policies that would be terrible for kids and parents, like increasing early release days in the calendar.

Have you never heard the analogy about the Nazi bar? One fascist is too many fascists.

Don't be ridiculous. She's many things, but she's not a fascist or a Nazi.

It's an analogy. https://www.reddit.com/r/TalesFromYourServer/s/axYgmzNZuE

If analogies don't work for you, here's what happens when you put people like Brenda Diaz in charge of our children. https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/editorials/2024/10/02/bathrooms-with-a-view-cutting-windows-into-student-restrooms-is-a-new-level-of-weird/75479753007/

"Now, upon the advice of that law firm — the Harrisburg-based Independence Law Center — the board approved spending $8,700 to cut windows so passersby can look into the so-called “gender-identity” student bathrooms.

Yes, you read that correctly.

These adults want to make it easier for other people to watch your children while they’re in the bathroom. It’s absolutely mind-boggling."

Which five board members would plausibly vote for that?

Every vote the right-wing extremists get on the board is one vote too many. In York County (above), the RWNJs didn't always have a majority, they got one after a low-turnout election allowed them to move into the majority. Now you have book banning and peepholes into kids' bathrooms.

That's not what I want for MoCo. I will happily vote for a slightly inexperienced and idealistic young teacher with real-world classroom knowledge over someone who wants to turn MCPS into Gilead.

You're trading one risk that is inconceivably small for another. It is far more likely that a union-focused BoE will pass policies that are bad for students than ending up with a RWNJ BoE that will pass terrible policies overall. Zimmerman is a much greater risk to students and families than Diaz.

Well, I also find this assumption that Zimmerman would solely focus on union stuff to be anti-labor and also frankly sexist. If a man wanted to pursue a career in public service, I don't think we'd be scrutinizing his finances the way folks are for Zimmerman. I also trust someone who chose a career in elementary education to care about children.

Let's summarize. Zimmerman was recruited by the union to run. Two of Zimmerman's first donations came from past union presidents, and 80% of donations have come from union members. A core part of her platform is to give teachers (i.e., the union members) a "voice" on the BoE. She is running for a position that has the demands of a full-time job, which is often held by retirees and individuals that already have flexible jobs. In her case, she will be forced to quit her current job, which pays substantially more than the BoE position, and has not explained how she intends to make up that income if elected.

None of that raises concerns for you? Really? If this was for any other elected position besides BoE, this would be huge.

And, how is this an issue? I don’t care about her finances. She can get a job outside MCPS. MC would probably hire her to get more money to them.

What a strange statement from the person who has called for Silvestre's resignation over her ties to Montgomery College. Why are you making a special exception here for Zimmerman?

She is the liaison for MCPS. It is a HUGE conflict of interest for Silvestre to be working as the liason for MCPS at MC and be on the BOE. Zimmerman can work at a private school, do other related work in education or just not work. Most of the BOE members have full-time jobs so why should she not be allowed to?

From the BOE website: "Ms. Silvestre currently serves as the Director of Community Engagement at Montgomery College, leading the College’s efforts to be the community’s college through partnerships, engagement centers, outreach, and collaborative problem solving."

Given how much funding MC gets from MC she should have resigned when she started the BOE.

[Anonymous]

The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then you should vote Apple ballot since there are no incumbents on their slate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then you should vote Apple ballot since there are no incumbents on their slate.

I already did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then you should vote Apple ballot since there are no incumbents on their slate.

Diaz is neither incumbent nor Apple ballot. So she's the best choice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then you should vote Apple ballot since there are no incumbents on their slate.

Diaz is neither incumbent nor Apple ballot. So she's the best choice

The best choice of the Republican Party and right-wing groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then you should vote Apple ballot since there are no incumbents on their slate.

Diaz is neither incumbent nor Apple ballot. So she's the best choice

The best choice of the Republican Party and right-wing groups.

Diaz only worked for MCPS for a few years. Rumor here is she was fired (or forced to quit), and she refuses to say why she left MCPS when asked. She spews the right things but has no experience on a board or really in schools as she has some unlicenced preschool group and works for Fusion, which is basically an expensive private school that is really 1-1 tutoring in classes. On top of working two jobs, her youngest, according to her website is homeschooled. Her answer to questions is always quoting history, much of which makes no sense or is relevant. Her intentions are probably good but not a risk I want to take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then don’t vote for Diaz she is all in on suing MCPS with America legal first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then you should vote Apple ballot since there are no incumbents on their slate.

Diaz is neither incumbent nor Apple ballot. So she's the best choice

The best choice of the Republican Party and right-wing groups.

Lol yes
Christian Nationalism
Heritage Foundation curriculum and Trumper’s Bible made in China woo hoo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then don’t vote for Diaz she is all in on suing MCPS with America legal first.

Remember when MCEA lobbied hard to keep schools closed? Would you rather have them on the board?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then you should vote Apple ballot since there are no incumbents on their slate.

Diaz is neither incumbent nor Apple ballot. So she's the best choice

The best choice of the Republican Party and right-wing groups.

Apple ballot has solid choices that don't include Repuglicans or incumbents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then don’t vote for Diaz she is all in on suing MCPS with America legal first.

Remember when MCEA lobbied hard to keep schools closed? Would you rather have them on the board?

The rumor is that Brenda Diaz refused to follow public health requirements when MCPS reopened schools after the pandemic. She refused to get vaccinated and would not wear a mask, as was responsibly required of her, especially to protect vulnerable children. She said all this was for religious reasons. What religion is that?

The rumor continues that when Diaz continued to refuse to follow these public health requirements, and did not show up for 1st period, when Diaz knew admin would check on her mask status, she forced the school to cover her classes on the fly.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/some-montgomery-county-teachers-fear-losing-jobs-over-exemptions-for-masks-vaccines

Brenda, guessing this is you posting so much here. Care to share why you are not working for Gaithersburg HS anymore?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount the BOE wastes on legal fees is enough that they need to be replaced.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/D9MLQD575EAA/$file/Legal%20Fees%20Rpt%20240531.pdf

Then don’t vote for Diaz she is all in on suing MCPS with America legal first.

Remember when MCEA lobbied hard to keep schools closed? Would you rather have them on the board?

The rumor is that Brenda Diaz refused to follow public health requirements when MCPS reopened schools after the pandemic. She refused to get vaccinated and would not wear a mask, as was responsibly required of her, especially to protect vulnerable children. She said all this was for religious reasons. What religion is that?

The rumor continues that when Diaz continued to refuse to follow these public health requirements, and did not show up for 1st period, when Diaz knew admin would check on her mask status, she forced the school to cover her classes on the fly.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/some-montgomery-county-teachers-fear-losing-jobs-over-exemptions-for-masks-vaccines

Brenda, guessing this is you posting so much here. Care to share why you are not working for Gaithersburg HS anymore?

Are "rumors" now credible sources? Do you believe everything you read on Dcum, too?