Why do people want to fire the principal of B-CC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Here is my personal assessment: 80% of what people are upset about are things totally outside of his control. He does not make county-wide or federal policy, B-CC objectively has a complicated student mix with very wealthy families and less wealthy families that have different needs and expectations, it’s geographic location in downtown Bethesda creates some unique issues after sporting events, he can’t control SWAT-ing calls from out of state, etc.

And, it takes a very special person to be excellent at managing the students and parents of a school like that. Dr. Mooney is a kind, likeable person who cares deeply about that school, and I think some parents believe that school would benefit from more of an iron fist approach, which just doesn’t seem to be his personal style.

Other than the location in downtown Bethesda, what makes it so different from Blair which seems to have less of these problems. Similar mix of kids I think.

There is a lot more wealth from Bethesda and chevy chase at BCC than Blair.

That's not a complete explanation, though, unless it is the wealthy kids creating most of the problems at B-CC. I do think B-CC's location and open campus are a blessing and a curse. It creates a fun urban environment and puts kids close to internships and public transportation. On the other hand, it creates a more fluid situation on and around campus that can be harder to monitor.

Yes, BCC is more urban and more accessible from outsiders in town and more attractive to students walking off campus to mix with them.
Blair is a mile from the subway.

[Anonymous]

^ Didn't other MCP HS students show up too to the recent fight at the park near BCC? From which schools? RM is near a metro, so are a few other HS within walking distance and or a bus line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ why do you respond to trolls?

Isn’t DCUM filled with trolls already? Looks like you’ll be the one to ask yourself.

The super troll being the moderator

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Here is my personal assessment: 80% of what people are upset about are things totally outside of his control. He does not make county-wide or federal policy, B-CC objectively has a complicated student mix with very wealthy families and less wealthy families that have different needs and expectations, it’s geographic location in downtown Bethesda creates some unique issues after sporting events, he can’t control SWAT-ing calls from out of state, etc.

And, it takes a very special person to be excellent at managing the students and parents of a school like that. Dr. Mooney is a kind, likeable person who cares deeply about that school, and I think some parents believe that school would benefit from more of an iron fist approach, which just doesn’t seem to be his personal style.

Other than the location in downtown Bethesda, what makes it so different from Blair which seems to have less of these problems. Similar mix of kids I think.

There is a lot more wealth from Bethesda and chevy chase at BCC than Blair.

That's not a complete explanation, though, unless it is the wealthy kids creating most of the problems at B-CC. I do think B-CC's location and open campus are a blessing and a curse. It creates a fun urban environment and puts kids close to internships and public transportation. On the other hand, it creates a more fluid situation on and around campus that can be harder to monitor.

Yes, BCC is more urban and more accessible from outsiders in town and more attractive to students walking off campus to mix with them.
Blair is a mile from the subway.

This is true, but I do think administration matters. I've had kids at both B-CC and Blair, and one significant difference is that Blair families are more willing to accept that the rules apply to everyone. This allows the administration to have better enforcement of the rules because you don't have wealthy parents coming out of the woodwork every time Larlo gets lunch detention for tardiness.

My experience with B-CC is that the wealthy families want better rules enforcement, but only for "those" kids. Because the administration cannot and should not apply the rules only to low-income kids, they end up enforcing fewer rules in general to avoid parent backlash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Here is my personal assessment: 80% of what people are upset about are things totally outside of his control. He does not make county-wide or federal policy, B-CC objectively has a complicated student mix with very wealthy families and less wealthy families that have different needs and expectations, it’s geographic location in downtown Bethesda creates some unique issues after sporting events, he can’t control SWAT-ing calls from out of state, etc.

And, it takes a very special person to be excellent at managing the students and parents of a school like that. Dr. Mooney is a kind, likeable person who cares deeply about that school, and I think some parents believe that school would benefit from more of an iron fist approach, which just doesn’t seem to be his personal style.

Other than the location in downtown Bethesda, what makes it so different from Blair which seems to have less of these problems. Similar mix of kids I think.

There is a lot more wealth from Bethesda and chevy chase at BCC than Blair.

That's not a complete explanation, though, unless it is the wealthy kids creating most of the problems at B-CC. I do think B-CC's location and open campus are a blessing and a curse. It creates a fun urban environment and puts kids close to internships and public transportation. On the other hand, it creates a more fluid situation on and around campus that can be harder to monitor.

Yes, BCC is more urban and more accessible from outsiders in town and more attractive to students walking off campus to mix with them.
Blair is a mile from the subway.

This is true, but I do think administration matters. I've had kids at both B-CC and Blair, and one significant difference is that Blair families are more willing to accept that the rules apply to everyone. This allows the administration to have better enforcement of the rules because you don't have wealthy parents coming out of the woodwork every time Larlo gets lunch detention for tardiness.

My experience with B-CC is that the wealthy families want better rules enforcement, but only for "those" kids. Because the administration cannot and should not apply the rules only to low-income kids, they end up enforcing fewer rules in general to avoid parent backlash.

Blair pre-2024 or Blair 2024-2025? A principal can make a difference at a school.

[Anonymous]

People want him fired because BCC is a failing school, and he is the chief executive of that school. Yes, many / most of the factors are outside of his control, but at some point, there has to be accountability. Parents have so far had no political will to go after MCPS, I think because they feel like attacking it will cheapen the brand and hurt their kids, which I understand. There is also no political ability to go after the problem at the county government level, because it is essentially non-competitive. What's left is the BCC leader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Here is my personal assessment: 80% of what people are upset about are things totally outside of his control. He does not make county-wide or federal policy, B-CC objectively has a complicated student mix with very wealthy families and less wealthy families that have different needs and expectations, it’s geographic location in downtown Bethesda creates some unique issues after sporting events, he can’t control SWAT-ing calls from out of state, etc.

And, it takes a very special person to be excellent at managing the students and parents of a school like that. Dr. Mooney is a kind, likeable person who cares deeply about that school, and I think some parents believe that school would benefit from more of an iron fist approach, which just doesn’t seem to be his personal style.

Other than the location in downtown Bethesda, what makes it so different from Blair which seems to have less of these problems. Similar mix of kids I think.

There is a lot more wealth from Bethesda and chevy chase at BCC than Blair.

That's not a complete explanation, though, unless it is the wealthy kids creating most of the problems at B-CC. I do think B-CC's location and open campus are a blessing and a curse. It creates a fun urban environment and puts kids close to internships and public transportation. On the other hand, it creates a more fluid situation on and around campus that can be harder to monitor.

Yes, BCC is more urban and more accessible from outsiders in town and more attractive to students walking off campus to mix with them.
Blair is a mile from the subway.

This is true, but I do think administration matters. I've had kids at both B-CC and Blair, and one significant difference is that Blair families are more willing to accept that the rules apply to everyone. This allows the administration to have better enforcement of the rules because you don't have wealthy parents coming out of the woodwork every time Larlo gets lunch detention for tardiness.

My experience with B-CC is that the wealthy families want better rules enforcement, but only for "those" kids. Because the administration cannot and should not apply the rules only to low-income kids, they end up enforcing fewer rules in general to avoid parent backlash.

This is laughably wrong. The issue here is the issue at the root level across mcps. There are no repercussions for anyone. Not the poc, not the white, not the high income, not the low income. Not for students and not for staff.
You can't effectively run an organization where people are free to do whatever they want. You will quickly find that staff parents and students understand that there are no rules.
One of the biggest issues is how difficult it is to fire incompetent and apathetic staff. When they become a big enough problem they're promoted up because it's the only option, especially now that they can't be sent off to virtual academy.
Secondary is the justice warriors who believe white parents are some how able to get their kids off from repercussions like detention (they arent). Even if they were, there is no universe where two wrongs make a right. But lowering the bar is the mindset of a certain group of very vocal instigators in the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Here is my personal assessment: 80% of what people are upset about are things totally outside of his control. He does not make county-wide or federal policy, B-CC objectively has a complicated student mix with very wealthy families and less wealthy families that have different needs and expectations, it’s geographic location in downtown Bethesda creates some unique issues after sporting events, he can’t control SWAT-ing calls from out of state, etc.

And, it takes a very special person to be excellent at managing the students and parents of a school like that. Dr. Mooney is a kind, likeable person who cares deeply about that school, and I think some parents believe that school would benefit from more of an iron fist approach, which just doesn’t seem to be his personal style.

Other than the location in downtown Bethesda, what makes it so different from Blair which seems to have less of these problems. Similar mix of kids I think.

There is a lot more wealth from Bethesda and chevy chase at BCC than Blair.

That's not a complete explanation, though, unless it is the wealthy kids creating most of the problems at B-CC. I do think B-CC's location and open campus are a blessing and a curse. It creates a fun urban environment and puts kids close to internships and public transportation. On the other hand, it creates a more fluid situation on and around campus that can be harder to monitor.

Yes, BCC is more urban and more accessible from outsiders in town and more attractive to students walking off campus to mix with them.
Blair is a mile from the subway.

This is true, but I do think administration matters. I've had kids at both B-CC and Blair, and one significant difference is that Blair families are more willing to accept that the rules apply to everyone. This allows the administration to have better enforcement of the rules because you don't have wealthy parents coming out of the woodwork every time Larlo gets lunch detention for tardiness.

My experience with B-CC is that the wealthy families want better rules enforcement, but only for "those" kids. Because the administration cannot and should not apply the rules only to low-income kids, they end up enforcing fewer rules in general to avoid parent backlash.

Blair pre-2024 or Blair 2024-2025? A principal can make a difference at a school.

Both. I have a kid there currently but my B-CC kid graduated. Ms. Johnson was great, but Mr. Yates is also very good. The real test will be next year when they bring on someone new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People want him fired because BCC is a failing school, and he is the chief executive of that school. Yes, many / most of the factors are outside of his control, but at some point, there has to be accountability. Parents have so far had no political will to go after MCPS, I think because they feel like attacking it will cheapen the brand and hurt their kids, which I understand. There is also no political ability to go after the problem at the county government level, because it is essentially non-competitive. What's left is the BCC leader.

Was current Principal a Principal intern before this role? What happened with last Principal of this high school? Knowing that background could help provide some guidance in how to advocate for a leader change or not to change current leadership. Any of the school's APs to consider?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People want him fired because BCC is a failing school, and he is the chief executive of that school. Yes, many / most of the factors are outside of his control, but at some point, there has to be accountability. Parents have so far had no political will to go after MCPS, I think because they feel like attacking it will cheapen the brand and hurt their kids, which I understand. There is also no political ability to go after the problem at the county government level, because it is essentially non-competitive. What's left is the BCC leader.

Was current Principal a Principal intern before this role? What happened with last Principal of this high school? Knowing that background could help provide some guidance in how to advocate for a leader change or not to change current leadership. Any of the school's APs to consider?

IIRC people got mad at the last principal for enforcing rules. Some rich parents hired lawyers to sue the school for disciplining their kids (for smuggling alcohol to student events maybe?) and the principal was like I’ve had enough of this and found another MCPS job.

This would have been about 8 years ago so maybe I am misremembering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People want him fired because BCC is a failing school, and he is the chief executive of that school. Yes, many / most of the factors are outside of his control, but at some point, there has to be accountability. Parents have so far had no political will to go after MCPS, I think because they feel like attacking it will cheapen the brand and hurt their kids, which I understand. There is also no political ability to go after the problem at the county government level, because it is essentially non-competitive. What's left is the BCC leader.

Was current Principal a Principal intern before this role? What happened with last Principal of this high school? Knowing that background could help provide some guidance in how to advocate for a leader change or not to change current leadership. Any of the school's APs to consider?

IIRC people got mad at the last principal for enforcing rules. Some rich parents hired lawyers to sue the school for disciplining their kids (for smuggling alcohol to student events maybe?) and the principal was like I’ve had enough of this and found another MCPS job.

This would have been about 8 years ago so maybe I am misremembering.

The win rate in parents suing schools is very low. I want to say single digits. If he couldn't handle the heat from that, he would have left over the next big issue. Hardly a reason to stop discipline in schools lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People want him fired because BCC is a failing school, and he is the chief executive of that school. Yes, many / most of the factors are outside of his control, but at some point, there has to be accountability. Parents have so far had no political will to go after MCPS, I think because they feel like attacking it will cheapen the brand and hurt their kids, which I understand. There is also no political ability to go after the problem at the county government level, because it is essentially non-competitive. What's left is the BCC leader.

Was current Principal a Principal intern before this role? What happened with last Principal of this high school? Knowing that background could help provide some guidance in how to advocate for a leader change or not to change current leadership. Any of the school's APs to consider?

IIRC people got mad at the last principal for enforcing rules. Some rich parents hired lawyers to sue the school for disciplining their kids (for smuggling alcohol to student events maybe?) and the principal was like I’ve had enough of this and found another MCPS job.

This would have been about 8 years ago so maybe I am misremembering.

Jones left in September 2019, becoming a director in central office. Mooney became acting principal then and then got the permanent job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People want him fired because BCC is a failing school, and he is the chief executive of that school. Yes, many / most of the factors are outside of his control, but at some point, there has to be accountability. Parents have so far had no political will to go after MCPS, I think because they feel like attacking it will cheapen the brand and hurt their kids, which I understand. There is also no political ability to go after the problem at the county government level, because it is essentially non-competitive. What's left is the BCC leader.

Was current Principal a Principal intern before this role? What happened with last Principal of this high school? Knowing that background could help provide some guidance in how to advocate for a leader change or not to change current leadership. Any of the school's APs to consider?

IIRC people got mad at the last principal for enforcing rules. Some rich parents hired lawyers to sue the school for disciplining their kids (for smuggling alcohol to student events maybe?) and the principal was like I’ve had enough of this and found another MCPS job.

This would have been about 8 years ago so maybe I am misremembering.

My recollection is that the kids were warned if they showed up drunk at prom they would not walk at graduation, and consequences happened. I don't think the parents sued but they did appeal to a bunch of higher ups and politicians and made the principal back down because not walking at graduation is not an MCPS approved consequence. Really awful behavior on the part of the parents, IMHO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People want him fired because BCC is a failing school, and he is the chief executive of that school. Yes, many / most of the factors are outside of his control, but at some point, there has to be accountability. Parents have so far had no political will to go after MCPS, I think because they feel like attacking it will cheapen the brand and hurt their kids, which I understand. There is also no political ability to go after the problem at the county government level, because it is essentially non-competitive. What's left is the BCC leader.

Was current Principal a Principal intern before this role? What happened with last Principal of this high school? Knowing that background could help provide some guidance in how to advocate for a leader change or not to change current leadership. Any of the school's APs to consider?

IIRC people got mad at the last principal for enforcing rules. Some rich parents hired lawyers to sue the school for disciplining their kids (for smuggling alcohol to student events maybe?) and the principal was like I’ve had enough of this and found another MCPS job.

This would have been about 8 years ago so maybe I am misremembering.

The win rate in parents suing schools is very low. I want to say single digits. If he couldn't handle the heat from that, he would have left over the next big issue. Hardly a reason to stop discipline in schools lol

Whom? Last BCC principal? Wasn't it a woman?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People want him fired because BCC is a failing school, and he is the chief executive of that school. Yes, many / most of the factors are outside of his control, but at some point, there has to be accountability. Parents have so far had no political will to go after MCPS, I think because they feel like attacking it will cheapen the brand and hurt their kids, which I understand. There is also no political ability to go after the problem at the county government level, because it is essentially non-competitive. What's left is the BCC leader.

Was current Principal a Principal intern before this role? What happened with last Principal of this high school? Knowing that background could help provide some guidance in how to advocate for a leader change or not to change current leadership. Any of the school's APs to consider?

IIRC people got mad at the last principal for enforcing rules. Some rich parents hired lawyers to sue the school for disciplining their kids (for smuggling alcohol to student events maybe?) and the principal was like I’ve had enough of this and found another MCPS job.

This would have been about 8 years ago so maybe I am misremembering.

My recollection is that the kids were warned if they showed up drunk at prom they would not walk at graduation, and consequences happened. I don't think the parents sued but they did appeal to a bunch of higher ups and politicians and made the principal back down because not walking at graduation is not an MCPS approved consequence. Really awful behavior on the part of the parents, IMHO.

To be fair, thae same thing happened at my HS in the late 1980's. We had a school trip to Montreal. Everyone was told that they could not drink, even the 18 year olds. We all had to sign a form saying we understood that this was a schoola ctivity and we would not drink, regardless of our age. The parents had to sign the form as well. The 18 year old seniors went out and got drunk. They were told they could not attend prom because they violated the schoo.ls alcohol policy, which was reiterated, and they signed a form saying they understood. The parents got upset and all of the 18-year-olds were allowed to attend prom. This is a long standing issue