Making sense of MCPS regional program transportation

[Anonymous]

Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

It's probably the latter which looks really bad for him, though the former would be even worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

Who from CO were at Blair tonight other than Mamoon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

Who from CO were at Blair tonight other than Mamoon?

Given the spread-out format it was hard to tell for sure, but I saw Mamoon and Swiatocha in the boundaries area and Jeannie Franklin in the program analysis area, plus a lot of tables with staff answering questions about the details of specific programs (I did not go to those.) Did not see Essie Maguire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

Who from CO were at Blair tonight other than Mamoon?

Who wasn't there would be the better question. Chief of staff, chief academic officer, communications director, There appeared to be about 50 people from central office there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

Who from CO were at Blair tonight other than Mamoon?

Given the spread-out format it was hard to tell for sure, but I saw Mamoon and Swiatocha in the boundaries area and Jeannie Franklin in the program analysis area, plus a lot of tables with staff answering questions about the details of specific programs (I did not go to those.) Did not see Essie Maguire.

Essie was in the feedback room telling parents not to be argumentative because she wasn't going to argue with them.

[Anonymous]

These stupid bureaucrats are just sitting happy on their fat salaries and do not give one single F about how they are screwing with so many kids and families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

It's probably the latter which looks really bad for him, though the former would be even worse.

Either one is bad. I have had an open mind to the creation of these regional programs, but telling parents of kids who would be entitled to a school bus at their host schools that they need to figure out how to pick up and drop off kids 2x a day at their host high school if they want their kids to attend a regional program is incredibly inequitable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

It's probably the latter which looks really bad for him, though the former would be even worse.

Either one is bad. I have had an open mind to the creation of these regional programs, but telling parents of kids who would be entitled to a school bus at their host schools that they need to figure out how to pick up and drop off kids 2x a day at their host high school if they want their kids to attend a regional program is incredibly inequitable.

They are rebranding inequity as equity. They are being creative, give them some credit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

It's probably the latter which looks really bad for him, though the former would be even worse.

Either one is bad. I have had an open mind to the creation of these regional programs, but telling parents of kids who would be entitled to a school bus at their host schools that they need to figure out how to pick up and drop off kids 2x a day at their host high school if they want their kids to attend a regional program is incredibly inequitable.

Me too. Been really trying to see the positive but this is such a glaring issue how could they be this far along and not have addressed this???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

It's probably the latter which looks really bad for him, though the former would be even worse.

Either one is bad. I have had an open mind to the creation of these regional programs, but telling parents of kids who would be entitled to a school bus at their host schools that they need to figure out how to pick up and drop off kids 2x a day at their host high school if they want their kids to attend a regional program is incredibly inequitable.

Me too. Been really trying to see the positive but this is such a glaring issue how could they be this far along and not have addressed this???

Because they’re not actually very far along in reality. This is the result of what, 6 months of work? Which should still be the information gathering / brainstorming phase for something this massive. Not something you’re going live with in 1 year (when kids will need to apply / be selected for these programs).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

It's probably the latter which looks really bad for him, though the former would be even worse.

Either one is bad. I have had an open mind to the creation of these regional programs, but telling parents of kids who would be entitled to a school bus at their host schools that they need to figure out how to pick up and drop off kids 2x a day at their host high school if they want their kids to attend a regional program is incredibly inequitable.

Me too. Been really trying to see the positive but this is such a glaring issue how could they be this far along and not have addressed this???

They DGAF. They are not interested in addressing this.

They are investing massive amounts of time and energy on this debacle to distract from the fact they are failing at teaching kids the basics. Do you think they actually care about equity in any meaningful way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

It's probably the latter which looks really bad for him, though the former would be even worse.

Either one is bad. I have had an open mind to the creation of these regional programs, but telling parents of kids who would be entitled to a school bus at their host schools that they need to figure out how to pick up and drop off kids 2x a day at their host high school if they want their kids to attend a regional program is incredibly inequitable.

Jeannie Franklin was asked a question about transportation too and said she didn't know/it would be figured out later, and when someone pointed out that the "get yourself to your local high school" model would be deeply inequitable and MCPS should commit to making sure there will be bus stops within reasonable walking distance for all students, she responded with "well, either way, it will be much better than we have now!"

Completely ignoring that:
1) "It will be better than it is now but still very inequitable" is not an acceptable response to a proposal that is turning the system on its head for the purpose of creating more equity
2) It will potentially actually be worse than it is now in many cases-- not just for DCC and NEC families who have neighborhood buses to consortium schools, but also most of the existing magnets at least have stops at local elementary or middle schools rather than parents having to drive their kids to the local high school. While the total travel time may be decreased for some of those kids, telling kids they need to walk to a nearby ES/MS and then take a long bus ride is much more equitable than telling kids they need to find someone to drive them to a faraway HS and then take a shorter bus ride.

She did not seem to have thought any deeper about the equity implications of busing besides "I was told that the regional model will make bus rides shorter and more equitable so it must be true!'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

It's probably the latter which looks really bad for him, though the former would be even worse.

Either one is bad. I have had an open mind to the creation of these regional programs, but telling parents of kids who would be entitled to a school bus at their host schools that they need to figure out how to pick up and drop off kids 2x a day at their host high school if they want their kids to attend a regional program is incredibly inequitable.

Jeannie Franklin was asked a question about transportation too and said she didn't know/it would be figured out later, and when someone pointed out that the "get yourself to your local high school" model would be deeply inequitable and MCPS should commit to making sure there will be bus stops within reasonable walking distance for all students, she responded with "well, either way, it will be much better than we have now!"

Completely ignoring that:
1) "It will be better than it is now but still very inequitable" is not an acceptable response to a proposal that is turning the system on its head for the purpose of creating more equity
2) It will potentially actually be worse than it is now in many cases-- not just for DCC and NEC families who have neighborhood buses to consortium schools, but also most of the existing magnets at least have stops at local elementary or middle schools rather than parents having to drive their kids to the local high school. While the total travel time may be decreased for some of those kids, telling kids they need to walk to a nearby ES/MS and then take a long bus ride is much more equitable than telling kids they need to find someone to drive them to a faraway HS and then take a shorter bus ride.

She did not seem to have thought any deeper about the equity implications of busing besides "I was told that the regional model will make bus rides shorter and more equitable so it must be true!'

UGH. The lack of critical thinking here is mind-boggling. Which is more feasible for a student with 2 working parents who is highly motivated to attend an advanced STEM program:
1. A 35-minute bus ride, with a stop 0.75 mi from his house?
2. A 15-minute bus ride, with a stop 2 miles from their house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talked to Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (oversees transportation among other things), about this at Blair tonight.

He said that the final plan for how buses will work has not been decided, but that the budget presented to the Board is based on students having to get to their local high school to catch a bus to the program school.

Did the "that's a very good point for us to think about" when the equity issues around that were mentioned, although it was unclear whether he hadn't thought of it or if that is just his standard line when people provide feedback/criticism.

It's probably the latter which looks really bad for him, though the former would be even worse.

Either one is bad. I have had an open mind to the creation of these regional programs, but telling parents of kids who would be entitled to a school bus at their host schools that they need to figure out how to pick up and drop off kids 2x a day at their host high school if they want their kids to attend a regional program is incredibly inequitable.

Jeannie Franklin was asked a question about transportation too and said she didn't know/it would be figured out later, and when someone pointed out that the "get yourself to your local high school" model would be deeply inequitable and MCPS should commit to making sure there will be bus stops within reasonable walking distance for all students, she responded with "well, either way, it will be much better than we have now!"

Completely ignoring that:
1) "It will be better than it is now but still very inequitable" is not an acceptable response to a proposal that is turning the system on its head for the purpose of creating more equity
2) It will potentially actually be worse than it is now in many cases-- not just for DCC and NEC families who have neighborhood buses to consortium schools, but also most of the existing magnets at least have stops at local elementary or middle schools rather than parents having to drive their kids to the local high school. While the total travel time may be decreased for some of those kids, telling kids they need to walk to a nearby ES/MS and then take a long bus ride is much more equitable than telling kids they need to find someone to drive them to a faraway HS and then take a shorter bus ride.

She did not seem to have thought any deeper about the equity implications of busing besides "I was told that the regional model will make bus rides shorter and more equitable so it must be true!'

UGH. The lack of critical thinking here is mind-boggling. Which is more feasible for a student with 2 working parents who is highly motivated to attend an advanced STEM program:
1. A 35-minute bus ride, with a stop 0.75 mi from his house?
2. A 15-minute bus ride, with a stop 2 miles from their house?

Plus option #1 is a nationally renowned program while option #2 is just a name duplicate with replacing “ap” and “honor” with “magnet”.