BOE - who are people voting for?

[Anonymous]

It’s an anonymous board so adding that I am nonwhite seems a little over the top. I felt the pot use was excessive even thought I’m not opposed to legalization. My race shouldn’t need to be included to make that point from my experience.

[Anonymous]

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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?

I love how YT liberal women go out of their way to gaslight everyone and avoid accountability. Tyler, who wasn’t even at MCPS, owned the issue. But the board? Nothing. Typical

[Anonymous]

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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.

You'll get no objections from me that Lynne and the BOE also have culpability here. But I don't think you can say ONLY the BOE was responsible and not Felder. Especially since the superintendent, which Felder was at the time, is also technically part of the Board....

[Anonymous]

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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?

I love how YT liberal women go out of their way to gaslight everyone and avoid accountability. Tyler, who wasn’t even at MCPS, owned the issue. But the board? Nothing. Typical

Wait, what? I'm not the PP but they said "interim superintendent." That was not Taylor, it was Felder.

So, what are you saying here exactly? That PP is blaming a Black woman (Felder) rather than blaming the board (majority Black/Latina women)?

I'm confused about the charge being leveled here, particularly because you seem to think you are making a point about race.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Here is another viewpoint on the race for BOE.

https://www.cleanslatemoco.com/stewart-harris-zimmerman-white-opportunity-hoarders/3282

You may not agree, but they have a point.

The fact that Laura Stewart is running to unseat one of only two Black women on the board is indeed noteworthy and said. I'm no blind defender of Shebra, because there are lots of valid criticisms to make about her performance on the board, but if Laura was as progressive as she thinks she is, she would have backed a Black woman to run against Shebra. But instead, she feels entitled to the role.

This is the main thing that matters here. Shebra is not deserving of a third term.

She’s more deserving of Stewart. I really tried to want to vote for Stewart but I just can’t after seeing her at the candidate forums. She seems nice but very much overwhelmed and in over her head.

Disagree. Stewart's been advocating at the state and county level for years. She's very well-prepared for a seat at the board table.

Key word here is advocate. There is no room for advocates on the Board of Education!

Shebra was an advocate before she got on the BOE. I like Shebra, she is smart, and over the past 8 years, she has learned a lot. However, she was a BIG supporter of McKnight. They are sorority sisters. I suspect that Shebra played a significant role in ensuring that McKnight got that $1.3 million.

Oh wait, are we voting out any BOE connected with a failed superintendents in Montgomery County? If so, where was this outrage for Josh Starr and the curriculum 2.0 and everyone that supported him? My favorite apple Ballot endorsed BOE board president from that time was consistently re-elected until she decided not to run again and no theories were forthcoming why she was such a supporter.

I’m still deciding who I plan to support for BOE but (1) I will never strictly vote Apple ballot candidates ever again based on the Josh Starr era and instead look at positions of candidates and (2) weigh the past performance with the values/position of the challenger matching up with mine when deciding about whether to vote for an incumbent or not. So that might lead me to Shebra Evans or it might not but trying to link being in the same predominantly black sorority as the past superintendent as a reason not to support them when plenty of other board members have supported unsuccessful past superintendents that had various financial packages for non-renewal, early retirement etc, is not cool. If you didn’t have that energy for the other BOE members and past presidents you can miss with that mess right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is another viewpoint on the race for BOE.

https://www.cleanslatemoco.com/stewart-harris-zimmerman-white-opportunity-hoarders/3282

You may not agree, but they have a point.

The fact that Laura Stewart is running to unseat one of only two Black women on the board is indeed noteworthy and said. I'm no blind defender of Shebra, because there are lots of valid criticisms to make about her performance on the board, but if Laura was as progressive as she thinks she is, she would have backed a Black woman to run against Shebra. But instead, she feels entitled to the role.

This is the main thing that matters here. Shebra is not deserving of a third term.

She’s more deserving of Stewart. I really tried to want to vote for Stewart but I just can’t after seeing her at the candidate forums. She seems nice but very much overwhelmed and in over her head.

Disagree. Stewart's been advocating at the state and county level for years. She's very well-prepared for a seat at the board table.

Key word here is advocate. There is no room for advocates on the Board of Education!

Shebra was an advocate before she got on the BOE. I like Shebra, she is smart, and over the past 8 years, she has learned a lot. However, she was a BIG supporter of McKnight. They are sorority sisters. I suspect that Shebra played a significant role in ensuring that McKnight got that $1.3 million.

Oh wait, are we voting out any BOE connected with a failed superintendents in Montgomery County? If so, where was this outrage for Josh Starr and the curriculum 2.0 and everyone that supported him? My favorite apple Ballot endorsed BOE board president from that time was consistently re-elected until she decided not to run again and no theories were forthcoming why she was such a supporter.

I’m still deciding who I plan to support for BOE but (1) I will never strictly vote Apple ballot candidates ever again based on the Josh Starr era and instead look at positions of candidates and (2) weigh the past performance with the values/position of the challenger matching up with mine when deciding about whether to vote for an incumbent or not. So that might lead me to Shebra Evans or it might not but trying to link being in the same predominantly black sorority as the past superintendent as a reason not to support them when plenty of other board members have supported unsuccessful past superintendents that had various financial packages for non-renewal, early retirement etc, is not cool. If you didn’t have that energy for the other BOE members and past presidents you can miss with that mess right now.

I don’t think Starr is running

[Anonymous]

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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?

I love how YT liberal women go out of their way to gaslight everyone and avoid accountability. Tyler, who wasn’t even at MCPS, owned the issue. But the board? Nothing. Typical

Wait, what? I'm not the PP but they said "interim superintendent." That was not Taylor, it was Felder.

So, what are you saying here exactly? That PP is blaming a Black woman (Felder) rather than blaming the board (majority Black/Latina women)?

I'm confused about the charge being leveled here, particularly because you seem to think you are making a point about race.

When you all want to get rid of the incumbents, except for the white one. I think it speaks for itself.

[Anonymous]

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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?

I love how YT liberal women go out of their way to gaslight everyone and avoid accountability. Tyler, who wasn’t even at MCPS, owned the issue. But the board? Nothing. Typical

Taylor has accomplished nothing. He’s just there to put on airs

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Here is another viewpoint on the race for BOE.

https://www.cleanslatemoco.com/stewart-harris-zimmerman-white-opportunity-hoarders/3282

You may not agree, but they have a point.

The fact that Laura Stewart is running to unseat one of only two Black women on the board is indeed noteworthy and said. I'm no blind defender of Shebra, because there are lots of valid criticisms to make about her performance on the board, but if Laura was as progressive as she thinks she is, she would have backed a Black woman to run against Shebra. But instead, she feels entitled to the role.

This is the main thing that matters here. Shebra is not deserving of a third term.

She’s more deserving of Stewart. I really tried to want to vote for Stewart but I just can’t after seeing her at the candidate forums. She seems nice but very much overwhelmed and in over her head.

Disagree. Stewart's been advocating at the state and county level for years. She's very well-prepared for a seat at the board table.

Key word here is advocate. There is no room for advocates on the Board of Education!

Shebra was an advocate before she got on the BOE. I like Shebra, she is smart, and over the past 8 years, she has learned a lot. However, she was a BIG supporter of McKnight. They are sorority sisters. I suspect that Shebra played a significant role in ensuring that McKnight got that $1.3 million.

Oh wait, are we voting out any BOE connected with a failed superintendents in Montgomery County? If so, where was this outrage for Josh Starr and the curriculum 2.0 and everyone that supported him? My favorite apple Ballot endorsed BOE board president from that time was consistently re-elected until she decided not to run again and no theories were forthcoming why she was such a supporter.

I’m still deciding who I plan to support for BOE but (1) I will never strictly vote Apple ballot candidates ever again based on the Josh Starr era and instead look at positions of candidates and (2) weigh the past performance with the values/position of the challenger matching up with mine when deciding about whether to vote for an incumbent or not. So that might lead me to Shebra Evans or it might not but trying to link being in the same predominantly black sorority as the past superintendent as a reason not to support them when plenty of other board members have supported unsuccessful past superintendents that had various financial packages for non-renewal, early retirement etc, is not cool. If you didn’t have that energy for the other BOE members and past presidents you can miss with that mess right now.

Starr was years ago. Move on. The current BOE failed our kids.

[Anonymous]

White Jewish person. Male preferred.

- Asian American mom who is listed Independent.

[Anonymous]

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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?

I love how YT liberal women go out of their way to gaslight everyone and avoid accountability. Tyler, who wasn’t even at MCPS, owned the issue. But the board? Nothing. Typical

Taylor has accomplished nothing. He’s just there to put on airs

He’s been there 2 months!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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?

I love how YT liberal women go out of their way to gaslight everyone and avoid accountability. Tyler, who wasn’t even at MCPS, owned the issue. But the board? Nothing. Typical

Taylor has accomplished nothing. He’s just there to put on airs

He’s been there 2 months!

That's more than enough time to bring back MVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is another viewpoint on the race for BOE.

https://www.cleanslatemoco.com/stewart-harris-zimmerman-white-opportunity-hoarders/3282

You may not agree, but they have a point.

The fact that Laura Stewart is running to unseat one of only two Black women on the board is indeed noteworthy and said. I'm no blind defender of Shebra, because there are lots of valid criticisms to make about her performance on the board, but if Laura was as progressive as she thinks she is, she would have backed a Black woman to run against Shebra. But instead, she feels entitled to the role.

This is the main thing that matters here. Shebra is not deserving of a third term.

She’s more deserving of Stewart. I really tried to want to vote for Stewart but I just can’t after seeing her at the candidate forums. She seems nice but very much overwhelmed and in over her head.

Disagree. Stewart's been advocating at the state and county level for years. She's very well-prepared for a seat at the board table.

Key word here is advocate. There is no room for advocates on the Board of Education!

Shebra was an advocate before she got on the BOE. I like Shebra, she is smart, and over the past 8 years, she has learned a lot. However, she was a BIG supporter of McKnight. They are sorority sisters. I suspect that Shebra played a significant role in ensuring that McKnight got that $1.3 million.

Oh wait, are we voting out any BOE connected with a failed superintendents in Montgomery County? If so, where was this outrage for Josh Starr and the curriculum 2.0 and everyone that supported him? My favorite apple Ballot endorsed BOE board president from that time was consistently re-elected until she decided not to run again and no theories were forthcoming why she was such a supporter.

I’m still deciding who I plan to support for BOE but (1) I will never strictly vote Apple ballot candidates ever again based on the Josh Starr era and instead look at positions of candidates and (2) weigh the past performance with the values/position of the challenger matching up with mine when deciding about whether to vote for an incumbent or not. So that might lead me to Shebra Evans or it might not but trying to link being in the same predominantly black sorority as the past superintendent as a reason not to support them when plenty of other board members have supported unsuccessful past superintendents that had various financial packages for non-renewal, early retirement etc, is not cool. If you didn’t have that energy for the other BOE members and past presidents you can miss with that mess right now.

Starr was years ago. Move on. The current BOE failed our kids.

I would argue the past boards also failed our kids at least since Starr. But the earlier poster only wanted to hold one person accountable…not every incumbent this cycle, and didn’t give any indication that they were using the same yardstick when they voted for past BOE members. So when they tried to insinuate the connection/support to a failed superintendent was based on being in the same historically black sorority, they were definitely sending a signal. Especially because we had superintendents that failed who did not share the same sorority and BOE members that supported them and had no insinuations made as to why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is another viewpoint on the race for BOE.

https://www.cleanslatemoco.com/stewart-harris-zimmerman-white-opportunity-hoarders/3282

You may not agree, but they have a point.

The fact that Laura Stewart is running to unseat one of only two Black women on the board is indeed noteworthy and said. I'm no blind defender of Shebra, because there are lots of valid criticisms to make about her performance on the board, but if Laura was as progressive as she thinks she is, she would have backed a Black woman to run against Shebra. But instead, she feels entitled to the role.

This is the main thing that matters here. Shebra is not deserving of a third term.

She’s more deserving of Stewart. I really tried to want to vote for Stewart but I just can’t after seeing her at the candidate forums. She seems nice but very much overwhelmed and in over her head.

Disagree. Stewart's been advocating at the state and county level for years. She's very well-prepared for a seat at the board table.

Key word here is advocate. There is no room for advocates on the Board of Education!

Shebra was an advocate before she got on the BOE. I like Shebra, she is smart, and over the past 8 years, she has learned a lot. However, she was a BIG supporter of McKnight. They are sorority sisters. I suspect that Shebra played a significant role in ensuring that McKnight got that $1.3 million.

Oh wait, are we voting out any BOE connected with a failed superintendents in Montgomery County? If so, where was this outrage for Josh Starr and the curriculum 2.0 and everyone that supported him? My favorite apple Ballot endorsed BOE board president from that time was consistently re-elected until she decided not to run again and no theories were forthcoming why she was such a supporter.

I’m still deciding who I plan to support for BOE but (1) I will never strictly vote Apple ballot candidates ever again based on the Josh Starr era and instead look at positions of candidates and (2) weigh the past performance with the values/position of the challenger matching up with mine when deciding about whether to vote for an incumbent or not. So that might lead me to Shebra Evans or it might not but trying to link being in the same predominantly black sorority as the past superintendent as a reason not to support them when plenty of other board members have supported unsuccessful past superintendents that had various financial packages for non-renewal, early retirement etc, is not cool. If you didn’t have that energy for the other BOE members and past presidents you can miss with that mess right now.

[Anonymous]

Y
Just keep moms4liberty Diaz off the board