BOE - who are people voting for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In the Zimmerman vs. Diaz race, I found it helpful to look at their endorsements to better understand how each would represent communities of color.

Diaz is endorsed by the MoCo Republicans and Moms for Liberty.

Zimmerman is endorsed by a host of current elected officials, many/most of whom are BIPOC. She also has the endorsement of the Latino Dems in Montgomery County.

So, if I want to understand which candidate will best represent Black/Brown communities, I'm going to look at what the leaders of those communities have to say, and they say Zimmerman is the better choice.

So why didn’t MCEA endorse Evans who they used to like?

Obviously these endorsements are meaningless.

Because whatever promise Evans showed eight years back in comparison to her opponent, Green-turned-Republican (and later no longer a Montgomery County resident) Anjali Reed Phukan, largely failed to materialize for the benefit of a majority of the MCPS community of families and teachers.

Yes. Endorsements are always in the context of who else is running for that particular race that year. Stewart is the first serious challenge Evans has faced.

Endorsements are meaningless.

You think Montoya and Zimmerman would have advanced from the primary to the general without the MCEA endorsement? No way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them its ok to speak up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

Worse than incumbents that gave a massive payout to the Superintendent that promoted a serial sexual harasser? At a minimum, the newcomers will know they'll get fired if they pull that BS again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

It'll be interesting to see if Rivera-Oven and Yang receive MCEA endorsements again in 2026, or if their incumbency will prevent that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

Worse than incumbents that gave a massive payout to the Superintendent that promoted a serial sexual harasser? At a minimum, the newcomers will know they'll get fired if they pull that BS again.

Zimmerman isn't going to stay long anyway.

Any Board would have settled with McKnight, paying at least the early termination clause of the contract. Though, I don't understand why they paid *more* than the early termination clause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

It'll be interesting to see if Rivera-Oven and Yang receive MCEA endorsements again in 2026, or if their incumbency will prevent that.

It depends on how much they grovel to MCEA. MCEA would love 4-day work-weeks. If they ever suggest early release days with the calendar, you'll know what's going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

Worse than incumbents that gave a massive payout to the Superintendent that promoted a serial sexual harasser? At a minimum, the newcomers will know they'll get fired if they pull that BS again.

Zimmerman isn't going to stay long anyway.

Any Board would have settled with McKnight, paying at least the early termination clause of the contract. Though, I don't understand why they paid *more* than the early termination clause.

That's what I was referring to when I said "massive payout". It screams hush money.

Zimmerman's opponent is crazy. Whatever am I unt of time Zimmerman plans to stay, is better than having Brenda Diaz in office for any amount of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

Worse than incumbents that gave a massive payout to the Superintendent that promoted a serial sexual harasser? At a minimum, the newcomers will know they'll get fired if they pull that BS again.

Zimmerman isn't going to stay long anyway.

Any Board would have settled with McKnight, paying at least the early termination clause of the contract. Though, I don't understand why they paid *more* than the early termination clause.

That's what I was referring to when I said "massive payout". It screams hush money.

Zimmerman's opponent is crazy. Whatever am I unt of time Zimmerman plans to stay, is better than having Brenda Diaz in office for any amount of time.

Crazy people ultimately don't do anything. At worst, Diaz will be a distraction. But there's also a chance she'll be willing to ask hard questions of central admin, which board members have never been willing to do during open session.

Zimmerman, unfortunately, can do much, much worse. I absolutely expect her to push for everything on MCEA's wish list, including more half-days and expanding virtual days (e.g., snow days) as much as is allowed by state law. That will be a disaster, particularly for the kids with special needs that would miss out on services those days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

Worse than incumbents that gave a massive payout to the Superintendent that promoted a serial sexual harasser? At a minimum, the newcomers will know they'll get fired if they pull that BS again.

Zimmerman isn't going to stay long anyway.

Any Board would have settled with McKnight, paying at least the early termination clause of the contract. Though, I don't understand why they paid *more* than the early termination clause.

That's what I was referring to when I said "massive payout". It screams hush money.

Zimmerman's opponent is crazy. Whatever am I unt of time Zimmerman plans to stay, is better than having Brenda Diaz in office for any amount of time.

Crazy people ultimately don't do anything. At worst, Diaz will be a distraction. But there's also a chance she'll be willing to ask hard questions of central admin, which board members have never been willing to do during open session.

Zimmerman, unfortunately, can do much, much worse. I absolutely expect her to push for everything on MCEA's wish list, including more half-days and expanding virtual days (e.g., snow days) as much as is allowed by state law. That will be a disaster, particularly for the kids with special needs that would miss out on services those days.

This is nonsense. One board member who has crazy ideas can derail the entire board. You don’t put people on the board knowing they are Moms for Liberty shills (unless of course you are a Moms for Liberty shill).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

Worse than incumbents that gave a massive payout to the Superintendent that promoted a serial sexual harasser? At a minimum, the newcomers will know they'll get fired if they pull that BS again.

Zimmerman isn't going to stay long anyway.

Any Board would have settled with McKnight, paying at least the early termination clause of the contract. Though, I don't understand why they paid *more* than the early termination clause.

That's what I was referring to when I said "massive payout". It screams hush money.

Zimmerman's opponent is crazy. Whatever am I unt of time Zimmerman plans to stay, is better than having Brenda Diaz in office for any amount of time.

Crazy people ultimately don't do anything. At worst, Diaz will be a distraction. But there's also a chance she'll be willing to ask hard questions of central admin, which board members have never been willing to do during open session.

Zimmerman, unfortunately, can do much, much worse. I absolutely expect her to push for everything on MCEA's wish list, including more half-days and expanding virtual days (e.g., snow days) as much as is allowed by state law. That will be a disaster, particularly for the kids with special needs that would miss out on services those days.

Oh my goodness no, a Moms for Liberty candidate is not going to ask "hard questions" she's going to ask dumb questions and generally say offensive and hurtful things, now with a bigger platform. She belong anywhere near the BOE IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

Worse than incumbents that gave a massive payout to the Superintendent that promoted a serial sexual harasser? At a minimum, the newcomers will know they'll get fired if they pull that BS again.

Zimmerman isn't going to stay long anyway.

Any Board would have settled with McKnight, paying at least the early termination clause of the contract. Though, I don't understand why they paid *more* than the early termination clause.

That's what I was referring to when I said "massive payout". It screams hush money.

Zimmerman's opponent is crazy. Whatever am I unt of time Zimmerman plans to stay, is better than having Brenda Diaz in office for any amount of time.

Crazy people ultimately don't do anything. At worst, Diaz will be a distraction. But there's also a chance she'll be willing to ask hard questions of central admin, which board members have never been willing to do during open session.

Zimmerman, unfortunately, can do much, much worse. I absolutely expect her to push for everything on MCEA's wish list, including more half-days and expanding virtual days (e.g., snow days) as much as is allowed by state law. That will be a disaster, particularly for the kids with special needs that would miss out on services those days.

This is nonsense. One board member who has crazy ideas can derail the entire board. You don’t put people on the board knowing they are Moms for Liberty shills (unless of course you are a Moms for Liberty shill).

+1 this

[Anonymous]

One time a campaigner for Brenda Diaz approached me while I was trying to get my autistic 5 yo to school and he was melting down. The campaigner came up to us and said "aw is he afraid to go to school?" That wasn't the issue at all, but it was clear she was trying to push a narrative about school safety. Not helpful or welcome at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynn Harris is part of the problem and the current disfunction. She needs to go. I think if there was a different mix on the board and different president Evans would be ok but she will not stand up for anything and goes along with the others. So, she needs to go.

Stewart and Zimmerman aren't going to stand up for anything, either. They'll keep their mouths shut unless their overlords tell them it’s ok to speak up.

Stewart is a joke of a candidate.

MCEA took advantage of anger at the incompetence of BOE incumbents that they previously endorsed to endorse challengers who will be obviously worse than the incumbents. It’s Hobson’s choice.

She’d be great if the job was all about preparing written responses to league of women voter questionnaires or giving prewritten speeches like she did when she was a PTA advocate. The fact that she struggles to string sentences together that make sense during the live candidate forums has me worried about her effectiveness. She seems like a much more simple minded Lynne Harris.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One time a campaigner for Brenda Diaz approached me while I was trying to get my autistic 5 yo to school and he was melting down. The campaigner came up to us and said "aw is he afraid to go to school?" That wasn't the issue at all, but it was clear she was trying to push a narrative about school safety. Not helpful or welcome at all.

One time a campaigner for Zimmerman asked if I wanted some literature about the candidate and when I said no she then offered my kid a free piece of candy. I said “what do I look like, a charity case?” I took it and threw it on the ground. I don’t need her handouts. I’m an adult!