BOE - who are people voting for?

[Anonymous]

I voted against all incumbents. This construction funding is just one more sign of their incompetence. Why aren’t they speaking out about this? I think it absolutely is the BOE’s job to make sure what is presented to them matches state law. McGuire presented something that was not true and someone on the BOE should have called that out before voting in it. Will McGuire have any consequences for this? Why are no BOE members speaking out about how unfit she is for her current position in MCPS after multiple contract debacles that cost taxpayers millions of dollars?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lynne Harris needs to go. MCPS deserves better.

Agreed! Straight from the MCPS BOE Fiscal Management Committee responsibilities:

d. The committee shall undertake periodic reviews of issues pertaining to the management and audit of Montgomery County Public Schools' fiscal, capital, and human resources, including the Board's operating budget, the Capital Improvement Program, staffing plans, allocations, and pension and benefit determinations.

e. The committee will review the contracting practices of MCPS and will review the procurement manual.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/committees/fiscal/#collapseTwo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynne Harris needs to go. MCPS deserves better.

Agreed! Straight from the MCPS BOE Fiscal Management Committee responsibilities:

d. The committee shall undertake periodic reviews of issues pertaining to the management and audit of Montgomery County Public Schools' fiscal, capital, and human resources, including the Board's operating budget, the Capital Improvement Program, staffing plans, allocations, and pension and benefit determinations.

e. The committee will review the contracting practices of MCPS and will review the procurement manual.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/committees/fiscal/#collapseTwo

And…who’s in charge of that committee—Lynn Harris!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynne Harris needs to go. MCPS deserves better.

Agreed! Straight from the MCPS BOE Fiscal Management Committee responsibilities:

d. The committee shall undertake periodic reviews of issues pertaining to the management and audit of Montgomery County Public Schools' fiscal, capital, and human resources, including the Board's operating budget, the Capital Improvement Program, staffing plans, allocations, and pension and benefit determinations.

e. The committee will review the contracting practices of MCPS and will review the procurement manual.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/committees/fiscal/#collapseTwo

And…who’s in charge of that committee- Lynn Harris

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not Diaz. There are multiple people who worked with her at GHS that have stated she would go to work late and miss teaching her 1st period class. OTHER teachers needed to cover her class because of her lateness.

Agreed. Diaz is the worst candidate by far, and her support by right wing orgs is telling.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

I’m sorry she didn’t choose you as head of the school party planning committee when she was pta president but you gotta let it go. It isn’t healthy to hold grudges like this.

So many positions besides party planning were empty during Monty's time at NCC ES. And her work at NCC ES is the only thing we have to go by to judge if she is a good fit for the board of education.

But let's dismiss Lynne Harris's clearly abysmal record while on the board. She is doubling down on that failed electric bus contract all because she wants to be first the nation with electric buses. Talk about throwing students under the bus!

McKnight and her underlings' abysmal record. Harris was instrumental in getting rid of McKnight and bringing in Taylor, which is a plus in my opinion.

Talk about alternative facts! She voted enthusiastically to approve a bus contract that is now subject to litigation (like many of the other things she voted for), wasting millions that can go to improving student outcomes. Lynne is throwing students under the (electronic) bus to flex her green credentials. She says she's a lawyer yet evidently performed zero due diligence on this electric bus debacle.


Lynne Harris, At-Large (Incumbent): I have reviewed all proceedings in the AutoFlex complaint, including the March remand. Clarifying – the remand isn’t to consider evidence of criminal conduct in the award of the contract, but rather evidence that two members of the RFP review team had engaged in improper/illegal financial activity. The remand is with the Montgomery County Inspector General and I look forward to reading her findings soon.

With regard to MCPS negotiating with Highland, MCPS’s relationship with Highland will continue for many years. By the end of 2025, MCPS will be leasing 325 electric buses from Highland. Highland has installed and maintains our fleet charging infrastructure. Despite the difficulties experienced with Highland meeting contract terms, they remain one of the major fleet electrification specialists in the US, doing business with all major electric bus manufacturers. Given those factors, it is in MCPS’ best interests to maintain a professional business relationship with Highland.

It’s also important to acknowledge that MCPS is the trailblazer in fleet electrification and has by FAR the largest electric fleet in the United States. That is significant. There have been challenges, we’ve learned from them and will be more informed, effective and efficient in the future.

Understatement of the year right there, Lynne. Gotta love the doubling down on the horrific electric bus contract.

According to Lynne, MCPS and the Board only have a "perception" problem when it comes to fiscal responsibility. I'm sure the $39 million shortfall is just a perception problem.

People complaining about the $39 million disappearing due in part to Lynne’s failed oversight have no idea how good they have it at MCPS. Other school districts literally light that amount of cash on fire to keep schools warm during winter. MCPS parents will always find things to complain about

Exactly. What's $39 million. What does that get you, like 10 bananas at whole foods or something.

I have my own issues with Harris's brand of Nice White Lady leadership that led her to hire/defer to Dr. McKnight for too long, but I actually do not consider "double check paperwork MCPS submitted to the state" to be part of the Board's job. Their job is policy, and overseeing MCPS senior leadership.

Toward that end, I actually found Taylor's speech about the $39m error to be quite compelling. https://montgomeryperspective.com/2024/10/24/taylor-apologizes-for-multi-million-dollar-error/

"Part of my commitment to the district, our county and our students is to encourage Team MCPS to address problems when they see them. Naming them and doing something about them is part of our path forward together.

Therefore, we should not be surprised if issues are uncovered as we do this essential work. These are opportunities for the system to improve and to live up to its values of transparency and accountability."

Since Harris was on the team that finally fired McKnight and hired Taylor, I am feeling better about her when I see how well he seems to be doing.

+1 I’m also voting for all of the incumbents because they too were on the team that fired McKnight and hired Taylor. MCPS issues are not the BOE’s fault. They only set policy. It was the super’s fault and they all made the necessary change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

New poster. Not familiar with Montoya from PTA but prior to that and would not vote for her based on those experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

New poster. Not familiar with Montoya from PTA but prior to that and would not vote for her based on those experiences.

Moore of the same. Anonymous posters with nothing to cite other than innuendo or personal grudges.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

I’m sorry she didn’t choose you as head of the school party planning committee when she was pta president but you gotta let it go. It isn’t healthy to hold grudges like this.

So many positions besides party planning were empty during Monty's time at NCC ES. And her work at NCC ES is the only thing we have to go by to judge if she is a good fit for the board of education.

But let's dismiss Lynne Harris's clearly abysmal record while on the board. She is doubling down on that failed electric bus contract all because she wants to be first the nation with electric buses. Talk about throwing students under the bus!

McKnight and her underlings' abysmal record. Harris was instrumental in getting rid of McKnight and bringing in Taylor, which is a plus in my opinion.

Talk about alternative facts! She voted enthusiastically to approve a bus contract that is now subject to litigation (like many of the other things she voted for), wasting millions that can go to improving student outcomes. Lynne is throwing students under the (electronic) bus to flex her green credentials. She says she's a lawyer yet evidently performed zero due diligence on this electric bus debacle.


Lynne Harris, At-Large (Incumbent): I have reviewed all proceedings in the AutoFlex complaint, including the March remand. Clarifying – the remand isn’t to consider evidence of criminal conduct in the award of the contract, but rather evidence that two members of the RFP review team had engaged in improper/illegal financial activity. The remand is with the Montgomery County Inspector General and I look forward to reading her findings soon.

With regard to MCPS negotiating with Highland, MCPS’s relationship with Highland will continue for many years. By the end of 2025, MCPS will be leasing 325 electric buses from Highland. Highland has installed and maintains our fleet charging infrastructure. Despite the difficulties experienced with Highland meeting contract terms, they remain one of the major fleet electrification specialists in the US, doing business with all major electric bus manufacturers. Given those factors, it is in MCPS’ best interests to maintain a professional business relationship with Highland.

It’s also important to acknowledge that MCPS is the trailblazer in fleet electrification and has by FAR the largest electric fleet in the United States. That is significant. There have been challenges, we’ve learned from them and will be more informed, effective and efficient in the future.

Understatement of the year right there, Lynne. Gotta love the doubling down on the horrific electric bus contract.

According to Lynne, MCPS and the Board only have a "perception" problem when it comes to fiscal responsibility. I'm sure the $39 million shortfall is just a perception problem.

People complaining about the $39 million disappearing due in part to Lynne’s failed oversight have no idea how good they have it at MCPS. Other school districts literally light that amount of cash on fire to keep schools warm during winter. MCPS parents will always find things to complain about

Exactly. What's $39 million. What does that get you, like 10 bananas at whole foods or something.

I have my own issues with Harris's brand of Nice White Lady leadership that led her to hire/defer to Dr. McKnight for too long, but I actually do not consider "double check paperwork MCPS submitted to the state" to be part of the Board's job. Their job is policy, and overseeing MCPS senior leadership.

Toward that end, I actually found Taylor's speech about the $39m error to be quite compelling. https://montgomeryperspective.com/2024/10/24/taylor-apologizes-for-multi-million-dollar-error/

"Part of my commitment to the district, our county and our students is to encourage Team MCPS to address problems when they see them. Naming them and doing something about them is part of our path forward together.

Therefore, we should not be surprised if issues are uncovered as we do this essential work. These are opportunities for the system to improve and to live up to its values of transparency and accountability."

Since Harris was on the team that finally fired McKnight and hired Taylor, I am feeling better about her when I see how well he seems to be doing.

+1 I’m also voting for all of the incumbents because they too were on the team that fired McKnight and hired Taylor. MCPS issues are not the BOE’s fault. They only set policy. It was the super’s fault and they all made the necessary change.

Welcome back, Susan Collins

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

New poster. Not familiar with Montoya from PTA but prior to that and would not vote for her based on those experiences.

Moore of the same. Anonymous posters with nothing to cite other than innuendo or personal grudges.

These are the telltale tactics of white people when a non-white candidate threatens them. Sow unspecific and vague insinuations that the candidate is not trustworthy, for WHATEVER reason. Even imagined, unjustified ones.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

I’m sorry she didn’t choose you as head of the school party planning committee when she was pta president but you gotta let it go. It isn’t healthy to hold grudges like this.

So many positions besides party planning were empty during Monty's time at NCC ES. And her work at NCC ES is the only thing we have to go by to judge if she is a good fit for the board of education.

But let's dismiss Lynne Harris's clearly abysmal record while on the board. She is doubling down on that failed electric bus contract all because she wants to be first the nation with electric buses. Talk about throwing students under the bus!

McKnight and her underlings' abysmal record. Harris was instrumental in getting rid of McKnight and bringing in Taylor, which is a plus in my opinion.

Talk about alternative facts! She voted enthusiastically to approve a bus contract that is now subject to litigation (like many of the other things she voted for), wasting millions that can go to improving student outcomes. Lynne is throwing students under the (electronic) bus to flex her green credentials. She says she's a lawyer yet evidently performed zero due diligence on this electric bus debacle.


Lynne Harris, At-Large (Incumbent): I have reviewed all proceedings in the AutoFlex complaint, including the March remand. Clarifying – the remand isn’t to consider evidence of criminal conduct in the award of the contract, but rather evidence that two members of the RFP review team had engaged in improper/illegal financial activity. The remand is with the Montgomery County Inspector General and I look forward to reading her findings soon.

With regard to MCPS negotiating with Highland, MCPS’s relationship with Highland will continue for many years. By the end of 2025, MCPS will be leasing 325 electric buses from Highland. Highland has installed and maintains our fleet charging infrastructure. Despite the difficulties experienced with Highland meeting contract terms, they remain one of the major fleet electrification specialists in the US, doing business with all major electric bus manufacturers. Given those factors, it is in MCPS’ best interests to maintain a professional business relationship with Highland.

It’s also important to acknowledge that MCPS is the trailblazer in fleet electrification and has by FAR the largest electric fleet in the United States. That is significant. There have been challenges, we’ve learned from them and will be more informed, effective and efficient in the future.

Understatement of the year right there, Lynne. Gotta love the doubling down on the horrific electric bus contract.

According to Lynne, MCPS and the Board only have a "perception" problem when it comes to fiscal responsibility. I'm sure the $39 million shortfall is just a perception problem.

People complaining about the $39 million disappearing due in part to Lynne’s failed oversight have no idea how good they have it at MCPS. Other school districts literally light that amount of cash on fire to keep schools warm during winter. MCPS parents will always find things to complain about

Exactly. What's $39 million. What does that get you, like 10 bananas at whole foods or something.

I have my own issues with Harris's brand of Nice White Lady leadership that led her to hire/defer to Dr. McKnight for too long, but I actually do not consider "double check paperwork MCPS submitted to the state" to be part of the Board's job. Their job is policy, and overseeing MCPS senior leadership.

Toward that end, I actually found Taylor's speech about the $39m error to be quite compelling. https://montgomeryperspective.com/2024/10/24/taylor-apologizes-for-multi-million-dollar-error/

"Part of my commitment to the district, our county and our students is to encourage Team MCPS to address problems when they see them. Naming them and doing something about them is part of our path forward together.

Therefore, we should not be surprised if issues are uncovered as we do this essential work. These are opportunities for the system to improve and to live up to its values of transparency and accountability."

Since Harris was on the team that finally fired McKnight and hired Taylor, I am feeling better about her when I see how well he seems to be doing.

Harris was also part of the leadership team who installed Felder as interim and some of the decisions under Felder, including the MVA flip-flop, bus fiasco and Woodward, were under Felder’s watch.

The "MVA flip-flop" was 100% the correct choice. Felder did the hard thing and pulled the plug on an expensive and ineffective program, enraging a small group of parents but ultimately making the right choice for the district's kids.

The "bus fiasco" was a joint Smith/McKnight joint, going back to 2021. Remember that McKnight was a deputy superintendent and then took over as acting superintendent in 2021. Felder didn't come in until February 2024 and was out by August. Trying to blame her for something McKnight oversaw is just disinformation and undermines your entire argument.

If by Woodward you mean the failure to accurately budget for prevailing wage, that again goes back to Smith/McKnight because it was an issue from 2021 to 2024, exactly McKnight's tenure.

Your attempt to fact check me is incorrect. Please do not accuse me of spreading disinformation when it is you who does not know what you are talking about.

1) Felder pushed the MVA was on the chopping block and then got pulled. I agree with you that I think that was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, Felder caved to the public pressure by MVA parents and pushed the BOE to restore the MVA in its budget recommendations. Only to realize after the fact, that MCPS could not afford to fund the MVA for the new school year after the fact. Part of the reason MVA parents are upset is because the program was cut, sure. But a large part of why they’re pissed was the flip-flopping on having budget for it and the late-stage decision to not fund it after telling them it was funded, leaving them in a lurch with few good options. That I absolutely do not agree with and that flip-flop was all Felder’s. It was earmarked to be cut before she stepped in and she made a mess of things by trying to undo that decision.

2) The bus fiasco has many contributors. Fielder’s portion specifically lies in the operational failures regarding the EV buses under tenure as well as the decision to not impose fines on HET for said operational failures. The origination and approval of the EV bus contract was Smith/McKnight, but Felder had a responsibility to enforce and hold HET to the terms of the contract and she didn’t. She owns that. I won’t even get into how like Taylor and his team did, that she could have uncovered the error budget calculations.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

I’m sorry she didn’t choose you as head of the school party planning committee when she was pta president but you gotta let it go. It isn’t healthy to hold grudges like this.

So many positions besides party planning were empty during Monty's time at NCC ES. And her work at NCC ES is the only thing we have to go by to judge if she is a good fit for the board of education.

But let's dismiss Lynne Harris's clearly abysmal record while on the board. She is doubling down on that failed electric bus contract all because she wants to be first the nation with electric buses. Talk about throwing students under the bus!

McKnight and her underlings' abysmal record. Harris was instrumental in getting rid of McKnight and bringing in Taylor, which is a plus in my opinion.

Talk about alternative facts! She voted enthusiastically to approve a bus contract that is now subject to litigation (like many of the other things she voted for), wasting millions that can go to improving student outcomes. Lynne is throwing students under the (electronic) bus to flex her green credentials. She says she's a lawyer yet evidently performed zero due diligence on this electric bus debacle.


Lynne Harris, At-Large (Incumbent): I have reviewed all proceedings in the AutoFlex complaint, including the March remand. Clarifying – the remand isn’t to consider evidence of criminal conduct in the award of the contract, but rather evidence that two members of the RFP review team had engaged in improper/illegal financial activity. The remand is with the Montgomery County Inspector General and I look forward to reading her findings soon.

With regard to MCPS negotiating with Highland, MCPS’s relationship with Highland will continue for many years. By the end of 2025, MCPS will be leasing 325 electric buses from Highland. Highland has installed and maintains our fleet charging infrastructure. Despite the difficulties experienced with Highland meeting contract terms, they remain one of the major fleet electrification specialists in the US, doing business with all major electric bus manufacturers. Given those factors, it is in MCPS’ best interests to maintain a professional business relationship with Highland.

It’s also important to acknowledge that MCPS is the trailblazer in fleet electrification and has by FAR the largest electric fleet in the United States. That is significant. There have been challenges, we’ve learned from them and will be more informed, effective and efficient in the future.

Understatement of the year right there, Lynne. Gotta love the doubling down on the horrific electric bus contract.

According to Lynne, MCPS and the Board only have a "perception" problem when it comes to fiscal responsibility. I'm sure the $39 million shortfall is just a perception problem.

People complaining about the $39 million disappearing due in part to Lynne’s failed oversight have no idea how good they have it at MCPS. Other school districts literally light that amount of cash on fire to keep schools warm during winter. MCPS parents will always find things to complain about

Exactly. What's $39 million. What does that get you, like 10 bananas at whole foods or something.

I have my own issues with Harris's brand of Nice White Lady leadership that led her to hire/defer to Dr. McKnight for too long, but I actually do not consider "double check paperwork MCPS submitted to the state" to be part of the Board's job. Their job is policy, and overseeing MCPS senior leadership.

Toward that end, I actually found Taylor's speech about the $39m error to be quite compelling. https://montgomeryperspective.com/2024/10/24/taylor-apologizes-for-multi-million-dollar-error/

"Part of my commitment to the district, our county and our students is to encourage Team MCPS to address problems when they see them. Naming them and doing something about them is part of our path forward together.

Therefore, we should not be surprised if issues are uncovered as we do this essential work. These are opportunities for the system to improve and to live up to its values of transparency and accountability."

Since Harris was on the team that finally fired McKnight and hired Taylor, I am feeling better about her when I see how well he seems to be doing.

Harris was also part of the leadership team who installed Felder as interim and some of the decisions under Felder, including the MVA flip-flop, bus fiasco and Woodward, were under Felder’s watch.

The "MVA flip-flop" was 100% the correct choice. Felder did the hard thing and pulled the plug on an expensive and ineffective program, enraging a small group of parents but ultimately making the right choice for the district's kids.

The "bus fiasco" was a joint Smith/McKnight joint, going back to 2021. Remember that McKnight was a deputy superintendent and then took over as acting superintendent in 2021. Felder didn't come in until February 2024 and was out by August. Trying to blame her for something McKnight oversaw is just disinformation and undermines your entire argument.

If by Woodward you mean the failure to accurately budget for prevailing wage, that again goes back to Smith/McKnight because it was an issue from 2021 to 2024, exactly McKnight's tenure.

Your attempt to fact check me is incorrect. Please do not accuse me of spreading disinformation when it is you who does not know what you are talking about.

1) Felder pushed the MVA was on the chopping block and then got pulled. I agree with you that I think that was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, Felder caved to the public pressure by MVA parents and pushed the BOE to restore the MVA in its budget recommendations. Only to realize after the fact, that MCPS could not afford to fund the MVA for the new school year after the fact. Part of the reason MVA parents are upset is because the program was cut, sure. But a large part of why they’re pissed was the flip-flopping on having budget for it and the late-stage decision to not fund it after telling them it was funded, leaving them in a lurch with few good options. That I absolutely do not agree with and that flip-flop was all Felder’s. It was earmarked to be cut before she stepped in and she made a mess of things by trying to undo that decision.

2) The bus fiasco has many contributors. Fielder’s portion specifically lies in the operational failures regarding the EV buses under tenure as well as the decision to not impose fines on HET for said operational failures. The origination and approval of the EV bus contract was Smith/McKnight, but Felder had a responsibility to enforce and hold HET to the terms of the contract and she didn’t. She owns that. I won’t even get into how like Taylor and his team did, that she could have uncovered the error budget calculations.

Cite your work. The fiscal committees responsibilities are clear. And citable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

New poster. Not familiar with Montoya from PTA but prior to that and would not vote for her based on those experiences.

Moore of the same. Anonymous posters with nothing to cite other than innuendo or personal grudges.

These are the telltale tactics of white people when a non-white candidate threatens them. Sow unspecific and vague insinuations that the candidate is not trustworthy, for WHATEVER reason. Even imagined, unjustified ones.

Exactly

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

I’m sorry she didn’t choose you as head of the school party planning committee when she was pta president but you gotta let it go. It isn’t healthy to hold grudges like this.

So many positions besides party planning were empty during Monty's time at NCC ES. And her work at NCC ES is the only thing we have to go by to judge if she is a good fit for the board of education.

But let's dismiss Lynne Harris's clearly abysmal record while on the board. She is doubling down on that failed electric bus contract all because she wants to be first the nation with electric buses. Talk about throwing students under the bus!

McKnight and her underlings' abysmal record. Harris was instrumental in getting rid of McKnight and bringing in Taylor, which is a plus in my opinion.

Talk about alternative facts! She voted enthusiastically to approve a bus contract that is now subject to litigation (like many of the other things she voted for), wasting millions that can go to improving student outcomes. Lynne is throwing students under the (electronic) bus to flex her green credentials. She says she's a lawyer yet evidently performed zero due diligence on this electric bus debacle.


Lynne Harris, At-Large (Incumbent): I have reviewed all proceedings in the AutoFlex complaint, including the March remand. Clarifying – the remand isn’t to consider evidence of criminal conduct in the award of the contract, but rather evidence that two members of the RFP review team had engaged in improper/illegal financial activity. The remand is with the Montgomery County Inspector General and I look forward to reading her findings soon.

With regard to MCPS negotiating with Highland, MCPS’s relationship with Highland will continue for many years. By the end of 2025, MCPS will be leasing 325 electric buses from Highland. Highland has installed and maintains our fleet charging infrastructure. Despite the difficulties experienced with Highland meeting contract terms, they remain one of the major fleet electrification specialists in the US, doing business with all major electric bus manufacturers. Given those factors, it is in MCPS’ best interests to maintain a professional business relationship with Highland.

It’s also important to acknowledge that MCPS is the trailblazer in fleet electrification and has by FAR the largest electric fleet in the United States. That is significant. There have been challenges, we’ve learned from them and will be more informed, effective and efficient in the future.

Understatement of the year right there, Lynne. Gotta love the doubling down on the horrific electric bus contract.

According to Lynne, MCPS and the Board only have a "perception" problem when it comes to fiscal responsibility. I'm sure the $39 million shortfall is just a perception problem.

People complaining about the $39 million disappearing due in part to Lynne’s failed oversight have no idea how good they have it at MCPS. Other school districts literally light that amount of cash on fire to keep schools warm during winter. MCPS parents will always find things to complain about

Exactly. What's $39 million. What does that get you, like 10 bananas at whole foods or something.

I have my own issues with Harris's brand of Nice White Lady leadership that led her to hire/defer to Dr. McKnight for too long, but I actually do not consider "double check paperwork MCPS submitted to the state" to be part of the Board's job. Their job is policy, and overseeing MCPS senior leadership.

Toward that end, I actually found Taylor's speech about the $39m error to be quite compelling. https://montgomeryperspective.com/2024/10/24/taylor-apologizes-for-multi-million-dollar-error/

"Part of my commitment to the district, our county and our students is to encourage Team MCPS to address problems when they see them. Naming them and doing something about them is part of our path forward together.

Therefore, we should not be surprised if issues are uncovered as we do this essential work. These are opportunities for the system to improve and to live up to its values of transparency and accountability."

Since Harris was on the team that finally fired McKnight and hired Taylor, I am feeling better about her when I see how well he seems to be doing.

Harris was also part of the leadership team who installed Felder as interim and some of the decisions under Felder, including the MVA flip-flop, bus fiasco and Woodward, were under Felder’s watch.

The "MVA flip-flop" was 100% the correct choice. Felder did the hard thing and pulled the plug on an expensive and ineffective program, enraging a small group of parents but ultimately making the right choice for the district's kids.

The "bus fiasco" was a joint Smith/McKnight joint, going back to 2021. Remember that McKnight was a deputy superintendent and then took over as acting superintendent in 2021. Felder didn't come in until February 2024 and was out by August. Trying to blame her for something McKnight oversaw is just disinformation and undermines your entire argument.

If by Woodward you mean the failure to accurately budget for prevailing wage, that again goes back to Smith/McKnight because it was an issue from 2021 to 2024, exactly McKnight's tenure.

Your attempt to fact check me is incorrect. Please do not accuse me of spreading disinformation when it is you who does not know what you are talking about.

1) Felder pushed the MVA was on the chopping block and then got pulled. I agree with you that I think that was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, Felder caved to the public pressure by MVA parents and pushed the BOE to restore the MVA in its budget recommendations. Only to realize after the fact, that MCPS could not afford to fund the MVA for the new school year after the fact. Part of the reason MVA parents are upset is because the program was cut, sure. But a large part of why they’re pissed was the flip-flopping on having budget for it and the late-stage decision to not fund it after telling them it was funded, leaving them in a lurch with few good options. That I absolutely do not agree with and that flip-flop was all Felder’s. It was earmarked to be cut before she stepped in and she made a mess of things by trying to undo that decision.

2) The bus fiasco has many contributors. Fielder’s portion specifically lies in the operational failures regarding the EV buses under tenure as well as the decision to not impose fines on HET for said operational failures. The origination and approval of the EV bus contract was Smith/McKnight, but Felder had a responsibility to enforce and hold HET to the terms of the contract and she didn’t. She owns that. I won’t even get into how like Taylor and his team did, that she could have uncovered the error budget calculations.

Cite your work. The fiscal committees responsibilities are clear. And citable.

What are you talking about cite my work? Are you denying the timeline of events that I shared? Google the timeline of events related to the MVA issue if you like.

As far as enforcing the fines for not meeting the performance obligations of the EV bus contract, in what world should the interim superintendent not be held responsible for the system’s failure to adhere to the terms of its own contracts?

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll take Harris over Montoya every day of the week.

+1. Montoya has just been a PTA president for a year, and that went badly apparently.

I’d take someone who didn’t do a great job organizing bake sales at the local PTA over Harris, the current BOE member responsible for losing $40 million for the school system due to her failure to fulfill her oversight role.

You seem to be uninformed about both candidates.

Naw. You just seem to be desperate to deflect this massive S show for Harris.

You know what the NCC parents say about Montoya's tenure as the PTA president there and are OK with that?

What were these NCC parents doing to support her? Were they expecting her to do it all?

The key issue is that Montoya alienated other parents. She isn't a leader within a group. If she can't do it as a PTA president at an ES, she will not do it on the BOE. At this point in the campaign, she has heard enough from other candidates to say politically correct, general statements, but she knows nothing about the job. I would have more respect for someone who put in the time to learn the system, laws and regulations, and understand the in-depth issues (like budgeting) that board members must know to make an informed contribution.

I’m sorry she didn’t choose you as head of the school party planning committee when she was pta president but you gotta let it go. It isn’t healthy to hold grudges like this.

So many positions besides party planning were empty during Monty's time at NCC ES. And her work at NCC ES is the only thing we have to go by to judge if she is a good fit for the board of education.

But let's dismiss Lynne Harris's clearly abysmal record while on the board. She is doubling down on that failed electric bus contract all because she wants to be first the nation with electric buses. Talk about throwing students under the bus!

McKnight and her underlings' abysmal record. Harris was instrumental in getting rid of McKnight and bringing in Taylor, which is a plus in my opinion.

Talk about alternative facts! She voted enthusiastically to approve a bus contract that is now subject to litigation (like many of the other things she voted for), wasting millions that can go to improving student outcomes. Lynne is throwing students under the (electronic) bus to flex her green credentials. She says she's a lawyer yet evidently performed zero due diligence on this electric bus debacle.


Lynne Harris, At-Large (Incumbent): I have reviewed all proceedings in the AutoFlex complaint, including the March remand. Clarifying – the remand isn’t to consider evidence of criminal conduct in the award of the contract, but rather evidence that two members of the RFP review team had engaged in improper/illegal financial activity. The remand is with the Montgomery County Inspector General and I look forward to reading her findings soon.

With regard to MCPS negotiating with Highland, MCPS’s relationship with Highland will continue for many years. By the end of 2025, MCPS will be leasing 325 electric buses from Highland. Highland has installed and maintains our fleet charging infrastructure. Despite the difficulties experienced with Highland meeting contract terms, they remain one of the major fleet electrification specialists in the US, doing business with all major electric bus manufacturers. Given those factors, it is in MCPS’ best interests to maintain a professional business relationship with Highland.

It’s also important to acknowledge that MCPS is the trailblazer in fleet electrification and has by FAR the largest electric fleet in the United States. That is significant. There have been challenges, we’ve learned from them and will be more informed, effective and efficient in the future.

Understatement of the year right there, Lynne. Gotta love the doubling down on the horrific electric bus contract.

According to Lynne, MCPS and the Board only have a "perception" problem when it comes to fiscal responsibility. I'm sure the $39 million shortfall is just a perception problem.

People complaining about the $39 million disappearing due in part to Lynne’s failed oversight have no idea how good they have it at MCPS. Other school districts literally light that amount of cash on fire to keep schools warm during winter. MCPS parents will always find things to complain about

Exactly. What's $39 million. What does that get you, like 10 bananas at whole foods or something.

I have my own issues with Harris's brand of Nice White Lady leadership that led her to hire/defer to Dr. McKnight for too long, but I actually do not consider "double check paperwork MCPS submitted to the state" to be part of the Board's job. Their job is policy, and overseeing MCPS senior leadership.

Toward that end, I actually found Taylor's speech about the $39m error to be quite compelling. https://montgomeryperspective.com/2024/10/24/taylor-apologizes-for-multi-million-dollar-error/

"Part of my commitment to the district, our county and our students is to encourage Team MCPS to address problems when they see them. Naming them and doing something about them is part of our path forward together.

Therefore, we should not be surprised if issues are uncovered as we do this essential work. These are opportunities for the system to improve and to live up to its values of transparency and accountability."

Since Harris was on the team that finally fired McKnight and hired Taylor, I am feeling better about her when I see how well he seems to be doing.

Harris was also part of the leadership team who installed Felder as interim and some of the decisions under Felder, including the MVA flip-flop, bus fiasco and Woodward, were under Felder’s watch.

The "MVA flip-flop" was 100% the correct choice. Felder did the hard thing and pulled the plug on an expensive and ineffective program, enraging a small group of parents but ultimately making the right choice for the district's kids.

The "bus fiasco" was a joint Smith/McKnight joint, going back to 2021. Remember that McKnight was a deputy superintendent and then took over as acting superintendent in 2021. Felder didn't come in until February 2024 and was out by August. Trying to blame her for something McKnight oversaw is just disinformation and undermines your entire argument.

If by Woodward you mean the failure to accurately budget for prevailing wage, that again goes back to Smith/McKnight because it was an issue from 2021 to 2024, exactly McKnight's tenure.

Your attempt to fact check me is incorrect. Please do not accuse me of spreading disinformation when it is you who does not know what you are talking about.

1) Felder pushed the MVA was on the chopping block and then got pulled. I agree with you that I think that was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, Felder caved to the public pressure by MVA parents and pushed the BOE to restore the MVA in its budget recommendations. Only to realize after the fact, that MCPS could not afford to fund the MVA for the new school year after the fact. Part of the reason MVA parents are upset is because the program was cut, sure. But a large part of why they’re pissed was the flip-flopping on having budget for it and the late-stage decision to not fund it after telling them it was funded, leaving them in a lurch with few good options. That I absolutely do not agree with and that flip-flop was all Felder’s. It was earmarked to be cut before she stepped in and she made a mess of things by trying to undo that decision.

2) The bus fiasco has many contributors. Fielder’s portion specifically lies in the operational failures regarding the EV buses under tenure as well as the decision to not impose fines on HET for said operational failures. The origination and approval of the EV bus contract was Smith/McKnight, but Felder had a responsibility to enforce and hold HET to the terms of the contract and she didn’t. She owns that. I won’t even get into how like Taylor and his team did, that she could have uncovered the error budget calculations.

Cite your work. The fiscal committees responsibilities are clear. And citable.

What are you talking about cite my work? Are you denying the timeline of events that I shared? Google the timeline of events related to the MVA issue if you like.

As far as enforcing the fines for not meeting the performance obligations of the EV bus contract, in what world should the interim superintendent not be held responsible for the system’s failure to adhere to the terms of its own contracts?

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/committees/fiscal/

c. The committee will review, as needed, financial statements provided to the county executive and County Council.

d. The committee shall undertake periodic reviews of issues pertaining to the management and audit of Montgomery County Public Schools' fiscal, capital, and human resources, including the Board's operating budget, the Capital Improvement Program, staffing plans, allocations, and pension and benefit determinations.

e. The committee will review the contracting practices of MCPS and will review the procurement manual.