New Superintendent to be named on February 8th

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McKnight named. Expected but horrible choice.

. Please explain why she is a horrible choice with facts.

She's focused on everything EXCEPT academics and education. I'm truly wondering if that's not part of her job? I'm not asking sarcastically. Is her job the "other stuff?"

Depends on what you mean by “other stuff”, because A Lot of things fall under the umbrella of Education. Examples: Bus transportation, Feeding kids, compliance with local, state and federal health regulations for schools and students, HS sports, safety, etc. All of these examples support education and community but aren’t specifically curriculum and teaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: Process, from MCPS

Four finalists met with a Community Panel comprising a group of citizens drawn from a broad-based section of Montgomery County that represents students, post-secondary institutions, parents, multicultural and civic organizations, employee unions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and county agencies. The full list of participating organizations is below:

1977 II Action Group
AASAAG – African American Student Achievement Action Group
APASAAG – Asian Pacific American Student Achievement Action Group
Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence
CAPA-MC Chinese American Parents Association of Montgomery County
*Department of Health and Human Services
*Identity Inc.
LEAAP-League of Educators for Asian American Progress
LSAAG – Latino Student Achievement Action Group
MCAAP/MCBOA-Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals
MCCPTA-Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations
MCEA-Montgomery County Education Association
Montgomery College
Montgomery County Department of Recreation
Montgomery County Planning Board
Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils
NAACP-National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
*SEAC – Special Education Advisory Committee
SEIU-Services Employees International Union
The Universities @ Shady Grove

* Unable to Attend

During the process, the Board remained committed to maintaining the confidentiality of candidates in order to find the best leader for our school system. Based on the interviews, input from the Community Panel and the information gathered by the Board, the preferred candidate was identified.

That sounds reasonable on its face... And still somehow I'm left feeling like this was a rubber stamp. I don't have anything to compare it to, however -- no idea how this is done well (or poorly.) elsewhere.

Though I have some thoughts about that list and who did and did not give feedback -- inclusion and access is important, so why no special needs parents/students? -- but I do appreciate the idea that various stakeholders were included and represented in the process.

And yet I'm inclined to disbelieve that the groups on the community panel were able to give meaningful feedback, that the result wasn't known in advance. Saying this entirely without evidence, so take this only as an indication of faith in the BOE. The process might have been entirely above board but -- it doesn't feeeeeeel that way. I'm not at all convinced...

All parents were(special needs and neurotypical) where given the opportunity to answer the survey. Additionally, anyone at anytime can email the board their thoughts and concerns regarding the process or any other topic. Further, the panel included MCCPTA and the Special Education Advisory committee both of which speak on topics of special needs populations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re: Process, from MCPS

Four finalists met with a Community Panel comprising a group of citizens drawn from a broad-based section of Montgomery County that represents students, post-secondary institutions, parents, multicultural and civic organizations, employee unions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and county agencies. The full list of participating organizations is below:

1977 II Action Group
AASAAG – African American Student Achievement Action Group
APASAAG – Asian Pacific American Student Achievement Action Group
Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence
CAPA-MC Chinese American Parents Association of Montgomery County
*Department of Health and Human Services
*Identity Inc.
LEAAP-League of Educators for Asian American Progress
LSAAG – Latino Student Achievement Action Group
MCAAP/MCBOA-Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals
MCCPTA-Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations
MCEA-Montgomery County Education Association
Montgomery College
Montgomery County Department of Recreation
Montgomery County Planning Board
Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils
NAACP-National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
*SEAC – Special Education Advisory Committee
SEIU-Services Employees International Union
The Universities @ Shady Grove

* Unable to Attend

During the process, the Board remained committed to maintaining the confidentiality of candidates in order to find the best leader for our school system. Based on the interviews, input from the Community Panel and the information gathered by the Board, the preferred candidate was identified.

That sounds reasonable on its face... And still somehow I'm left feeling like this was a rubber stamp. I don't have anything to compare it to, however -- no idea how this is done well (or poorly.) elsewhere.

Though I have some thoughts about that list and who did and did not give feedback -- inclusion and access is important, so why no special needs parents/students? -- but I do appreciate the idea that various stakeholders were included and represented in the process.

And yet I'm inclined to disbelieve that the groups on the community panel were able to give meaningful feedback, that the result wasn't known in advance. Saying this entirely without evidence, so take this only as an indication of faith in the BOE. The process might have been entirely above board but -- it doesn't feeeeeeel that way. I'm not at all convinced...

All parents were(special needs and neurotypical) where given the opportunity to answer the survey. Additionally, anyone at anytime can email the board their thoughts and concerns regarding the process or any other topic. Further, the panel included MCCPTA and the Special Education Advisory committee both of which speak on topics of special needs populations.

So if your children have disabilities or special needs you get to email the board while everyone else gets the red carpet rolled out for them? Nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm waiting on the explanation as to why she's a horrible choice and she focuses on other stuff. Anyone?

You could just take the banana out of you ear and read this and the other many threads.

[Anonymous]

Was there an opportunity for public input on who the superintendent would be? I admit I haven't followed it very closely. But community activists demand input on other hiring decisions, like the police chief. Curious if this extended to the superintendent hiring process too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re: Process, from MCPS

Four finalists met with a Community Panel comprising a group of citizens drawn from a broad-based section of Montgomery County that represents students, post-secondary institutions, parents, multicultural and civic organizations, employee unions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and county agencies. The full list of participating organizations is below:

1977 II Action Group
AASAAG – African American Student Achievement Action Group
APASAAG – Asian Pacific American Student Achievement Action Group
Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence
CAPA-MC Chinese American Parents Association of Montgomery County
*Department of Health and Human Services
*Identity Inc.
LEAAP-League of Educators for Asian American Progress
LSAAG – Latino Student Achievement Action Group
MCAAP/MCBOA-Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals
MCCPTA-Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations
MCEA-Montgomery County Education Association
Montgomery College
Montgomery County Department of Recreation
Montgomery County Planning Board
Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils
NAACP-National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
*SEAC – Special Education Advisory Committee
SEIU-Services Employees International Union
The Universities @ Shady Grove

* Unable to Attend

During the process, the Board remained committed to maintaining the confidentiality of candidates in order to find the best leader for our school system. Based on the interviews, input from the Community Panel and the information gathered by the Board, the preferred candidate was identified.

That sounds reasonable on its face... And still somehow I'm left feeling like this was a rubber stamp. I don't have anything to compare it to, however -- no idea how this is done well (or poorly.) elsewhere.

Though I have some thoughts about that list and who did and did not give feedback -- inclusion and access is important, so why no special needs parents/students? -- but I do appreciate the idea that various stakeholders were included and represented in the process.

And yet I'm inclined to disbelieve that the groups on the community panel were able to give meaningful feedback, that the result wasn't known in advance. Saying this entirely without evidence, so take this only as an indication of faith in the BOE. The process might have been entirely above board but -- it doesn't feeeeeeel that way. I'm not at all convinced...

All parents were(special needs and neurotypical) where given the opportunity to answer the survey. Additionally, anyone at anytime can email the board their thoughts and concerns regarding the process or any other topic. Further, the panel included MCCPTA and the Special Education Advisory committee both of which speak on topics of special needs populations.

So if your children have disabilities or special needs you get to email the board while everyone else gets the red carpet rolled out for them? Nice.

SEAC chair persons are hand picked by Central Office. It’s disappointing that they were not available to represent 5% of the MCPS student population (10% if you include disabled students with 504 plans). I am on the SEAC list serve and no one reached out through that mechanism to see if anyone had availability in light of the chairs not attending.

Likewise, the MCCPTA is a broad organization. By this list it’s impossible if anyone from their Special Needs Committee attended.

And how many Montgomery County government and other minority groups had multiple channels for representation? To exclude the Special Needs population after the continued struggles these children have face even after returning to the classroom is appalling. It’s as if these students continue to be an afterthought by MCPS.

Not looking forward to the years ahead for MCPS special needs students.

[Anonymous]

Her communication was lacking, but she kept kids in school so I’m fine with her. Hopefully she will improve on the communication front.

[Anonymous]

a lot of the problems attributed to McKnight arose before she became interim superintendent. the problems arose due to the previous superintendent unnecessarily closing schools to in-person learning for over a year. many schools in blue counties suffer similar problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Her communication was lacking, but she kept kids in school so I’m fine with her. Hopefully she will improve on the communication front.

A+++++.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to wait to give my opinion on McKnight since she's new to the position. Her communication needs tremendous improvement but I'm glad she was a huge proponent of keeping schools open.
I will wait to see what she does to make sure our schools are safe and whether or not she listens to teachers and principals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Re: Process, from MCPS

Four finalists met with a Community Panel comprising a group of citizens drawn from a broad-based section of Montgomery County that represents students, post-secondary institutions, parents, multicultural and civic organizations, employee unions, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and county agencies. The full list of participating organizations is below:

1977 II Action Group
AASAAG – African American Student Achievement Action Group
APASAAG – Asian Pacific American Student Achievement Action Group
Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence
CAPA-MC Chinese American Parents Association of Montgomery County
*Department of Health and Human Services
*Identity Inc.
LEAAP-League of Educators for Asian American Progress
LSAAG – Latino Student Achievement Action Group
MCAAP/MCBOA-Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals
MCCPTA-Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations
MCEA-Montgomery County Education Association
Montgomery College
Montgomery County Department of Recreation
Montgomery County Planning Board
Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student Councils
NAACP-National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
*SEAC – Special Education Advisory Committee
SEIU-Services Employees International Union
The Universities @ Shady Grove

* Unable to Attend

During the process, the Board remained committed to maintaining the confidentiality of candidates in order to find the best leader for our school system. Based on the interviews, input from the Community Panel and the information gathered by the Board, the preferred candidate was identified.

That sounds reasonable on its face... And still somehow I'm left feeling like this was a rubber stamp. I don't have anything to compare it to, however -- no idea how this is done well (or poorly.) elsewhere.

Though I have some thoughts about that list and who did and did not give feedback -- inclusion and access is important, so why no special needs parents/students? -- but I do appreciate the idea that various stakeholders were included and represented in the process.

And yet I'm inclined to disbelieve that the groups on the community panel were able to give meaningful feedback, that the result wasn't known in advance. Saying this entirely without evidence, so take this only as an indication of faith in the BOE. The process might have been entirely above board but -- it doesn't feeeeeeel that way. I'm not at all convinced...

All parents were(special needs and neurotypical) where given the opportunity to answer the survey. Additionally, anyone at anytime can email the board their thoughts and concerns regarding the process or any other topic. Further, the panel included MCCPTA and the Special Education Advisory committee both of which speak on topics of special needs populations.

So if your children have disabilities or special needs you get to email the board while everyone else gets the red carpet rolled out for them? Nice.

How did everyone else get the red carpet??? All parents got to answer the survey regardless of whether their kids where special needs or not. Also, special needs kids can fit into some of the other stakeholder groups that were included. Again, how was anyone rolled out a special carpet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to wait to give my opinion on McKnight since she's new to the position. Her communication needs tremendous improvement but I'm glad she was a huge proponent of keeping schools open.
I will wait to see what she does to make sure our schools are safe and whether or not she listens to teachers and principals.

She's great for the don't do anything open at all cost parents who want zero accountability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to wait to give my opinion on McKnight since she's new to the position. Her communication needs tremendous improvement but I'm glad she was a huge proponent of keeping schools open.
I will wait to see what she does to make sure our schools are safe and whether or not she listens to teachers and principals.

She's great for the don't do anything open at all cost parents who want zero accountability.

I’m confused who those people are. I guess they are people who just see schools as day care for their kids and don’t care if their kids are learning anything or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to wait to give my opinion on McKnight since she's new to the position. Her communication needs tremendous improvement but I'm glad she was a huge proponent of keeping schools open.
I will wait to see what she does to make sure our schools are safe and whether or not she listens to teachers and principals.

She's great for the don't do anything open at all cost parents who want zero accountability.

I’m confused who those people are. I guess they are people who just see schools as day care for their kids and don’t care if their kids are learning anything or not.

What is there to be confused? We just had a huge surge and she did nothing. NOTHING.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to wait to give my opinion on McKnight since she's new to the position. Her communication needs tremendous improvement but I'm glad she was a huge proponent of keeping schools open.
I will wait to see what she does to make sure our schools are safe and whether or not she listens to teachers and principals.

She's great for the don't do anything open at all cost parents who want zero accountability.

I’m confused who those people are. I guess they are people who just see schools as day care for their kids and don’t care if their kids are learning anything or not.

What is there to be confused? We just had a huge surge and she did nothing. NOTHING.

That's literally not true, but you keep believing what you want to believe.

The families that had virtual learning for two weeks don't think she did nothing.

The families that found positive cases due to the tests she sent don't think she did nothing.

What you really want to say is that you don't think she did enough. And that's fine; that's your opinion. It's a really bad take, but you're entitled to it