Tell me it's not so bad...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think MOCO doesn't allow the PTA supplement the cost of classroom aides. I think it is NUTS not to allow parents to do this -- everyone benefits: the kids, the teachers, the school community. Don't know what the process would be, but it would be great if parents pushed for a change from MOCO on this. At a time of huge budget cuts, it seems crazy not to allow parents to help in this way. I would donate for this in a heartbeat!

It's all about equality because then the rich schools would have aides and the poor ones wouldn't. There is lots of fear in MCPS about letting the rich schools spend money on their schools. You can support athletics but not academics.

First, there are no "rich schools." There are only rich parent communities in given schools. The system is a county-based system, and resources are supposed to be distributed county-wide in fair ways. We all pay property taxes to the county and we are all entitled to benefit from the same school system.

RE the fear, well, it seems that it is well-founded - take a look at some of the comments on threads about eastern MoCo schools. There is very much an "us/them" mentality among MCPS parents of different SES. This would be exacerbated by the kind of proposal you make. It's bad enough that Carderock ES has a "foundation" to upgrade its bathrooms; if more of this sort of thing were allowed, the inequities would be over the top.



I think you are missing the point. You pay property taxes and are "entitled to benefit from the same school system" in terms of the basics of what a school is required to provide. What we're talking about here is not taking a portion of your taxes to benefit another school...but allowing parents at all schools to decide what they value and what they will pay extra for. This would not take anything away from a school who's parents choose not to/or cannot pay for extras.

At some point, parents need to be empowered (or empower themselves) to demand the best for their kids. Every day, we hear the President talk about the "crisis in education" and we here that we need to "out-educate" the rest of the world. Why then would we not accept the financial help of willing parents? Out of some twisted sense of fairness? Who does that help -- no one. Parents should be allowed to use whatever tools are available (time, money, etc) in order to help these schools. In this time of huge budget cuts and larger classes, it is unthinkable for MOCO to turn willing parents away and tell them that their resources are unwelcome.
[i]

If you want this sort of autonomy, then create a school, find a private, or - and I wouldn't be opposed to this - forget the whole county-based system and go to a town-based system, where you have lots of local control and say. Otherwise, this is what it is.

Ok, agreed. MCPS should not turn away any help offered. If we agree on that, then how about offering help to be distributed county-wide? That would be fair, equitable, and consistent with the point of a county-based school system.

The notion that the haves should create their own super-duper schools - when they are already haves to begin with, and already have the best and most abundant of the resources (money, time) - is contrary to the principles of county-based education.

[Anonymous]

No -- taxes are already distributed throughout the county -- those who pay much more in taxes are already paying for schools all over the county. This is reasonable and fair. But to tell parents that they can't use their resources to make their schools better is ridiculous. Having parents use their resources for their school should be ENCOURAGED...this should be the MODEL for parent partnership/participation/engagement with the school. This should not be discouraged in the name of "it's not fair to a school down the road."
Your model of keeping every school in the county at the minimal level (only what is paid for by the county budget) is a great way to diminish the entire county. Honestly, creating roadblocks that prohibit parents from helping their child's school is just stupid and counterproductive. No wonder the public school system bureaucracy is failing kids every day.

[Anonymous]

I agree that we should be able to supplement the schools in our neighborhood. Or maybe come up with a formula that allocates some portion of additional funds raised to other schools - like a 75/25 sharing. While this is a small example I know that at our school the funds raised for post prom activities fund not only ours but also that of one of the schools in a lower SES area of the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No -- taxes are already distributed throughout the county -- those who pay much more in taxes are already paying for schools all over the county. This is reasonable and fair. But to tell parents that they can't use their resources to make their schools better is ridiculous. Having parents use their resources for their school should be ENCOURAGED...this should be the MODEL for parent partnership/participation/engagement with the school. This should not be discouraged in the name of "it's not fair to a school down the road."
Your model of keeping every school in the county at the minimal level (only what is paid for by the county budget) is a great way to diminish the entire county. Honestly, creating roadblocks that prohibit parents from helping their child's school is just stupid and counterproductive. No wonder the public school system bureaucracy is failing kids every day.

Did you read what I wrote? Not the minimal level. A fair and equitable level. If you want to donate, volunteer, contribute, then fine, but do it county-wide.

I can practically hear you saying "let them eat cake" wrt the kids at Title I schools. How about contributing to the entire system?

And for the record, in my experience, despite its shortcomings, the public school system bureaucracy is serving my kids very well. I would not object to it serving them better, via county-wide distribution of whatever resources are available (public or private).

[Anonymous]

Yes I did. But, obviously people can differ on what is "fair.". The minimal level is, by definition, what is mandated in the county budget and paid for through taxes. Parents simply should not be prohibited from supplementing extras for their schools. That is fair too. In addition, schools that have these extras will, likely, maintain property values etc., which will, in turn, generate even more taxes that will be used county-wide. This is hardly "let them eat cake.".
Your attitude is so destructive and harmful to schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I did. But, obviously people can differ on what is "fair.". The minimal level is, by definition, what is mandated in the county budget and paid for through taxes. Parents simply should not be prohibited from supplementing extras for their schools. That is fair too. In addition, schools that have these extras will, likely, maintain property values etc., which will, in turn, generate even more taxes that will be used county-wide. This is hardly "let them eat cake.".
Your attitude is so destructive and harmful to schools.

I think we are departing from different assumptions. My assumptions are:

1. Not everyone is on the same level playing field and many of us (my family and I included) are affluent and comfortable thanks to the happenstance of our birth.
2. We are all collectively responsible for everyone in our community, not just those in our immediate circle.
3. A high quality public education for all is necessary for the common good.

I agree that parents should not be prohibited from supplementing extras for schools. I don't agree that it should be for "their" schools. Distribution of school resources, however derived, should be for the common, county-wide good.

I understand that you think that my attitude is destructive and harmful, but from where I stand (see #1-3 above), your attitude is destructive and harmful, and selfish to boot. Your children (and mine) have a leg up already, and public education is not all about them. There is a much larger picture here, a larger world to concern ourselves with. We can't solve problems worldwide, but we can certainly make a difference here in MoCo, not only for our "own" kids but for all.

As Pete Seeger said, we're all going to make it over the rainbow together or none of us will.

For the record, my children are in a "rich school" in western MoCo with a parent community very capable of supplementing in every way. I have no personal/family investment in this larger distribution of resources, unless you count my own peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I did. But, obviously people can differ on what is "fair.". The minimal level is, by definition, what is mandated in the county budget and paid for through taxes. Parents simply should not be prohibited from supplementing extras for their schools. That is fair too. In addition, schools that have these extras will, likely, maintain property values etc., which will, in turn, generate even more taxes that will be used county-wide. This is hardly "let them eat cake.".
Your attitude is so destructive and harmful to schools.

I think we are departing from different assumptions. My assumptions are:

1. Not everyone is on the same level playing field and many of us (my family and I included) are affluent and comfortable thanks to the happenstance of our birth...blah blah blah..As Pete Seeger said, we're all going to make it over the rainbow together or none of us will.

For the record, my children are in a "rich school" in western MoCo with a parent community very capable of supplementing in every way. I have no personal/family investment in this larger distribution of resources, unless you count my own peace of mind.

If upcounty/western county/high SES folks were able to put money into classroom aides (or whatever they want to pay for), MCPS would probably simply change their schools' allocation and apply more dollars to the higher FARMS schools. You seem to have a problem with that because you want to be the most politically correct poster on the board, as usual. If you're really worried about high FARMS schools, just pick one and make a donation direct to their PTA. It's tax deductible. Furthermore, you seem incapable of understanding that not everybody is affluent based on the happenstance of their birth. My husband and I are (relatively) well off thanks to the fact that we worked our tails off to put ourselves through college and grad school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I did. But, obviously people can differ on what is "fair.". The minimal level is, by definition, what is mandated in the county budget and paid for through taxes. Parents simply should not be prohibited from supplementing extras for their schools. That is fair too. In addition, schools that have these extras will, likely, maintain property values etc., which will, in turn, generate even more taxes that will be used county-wide. This is hardly "let them eat cake.".
Your attitude is so destructive and harmful to schools.

I think we are departing from different assumptions. My assumptions are:

1. Not everyone is on the same level playing field and many of us (my family and I included) are affluent and comfortable thanks to the happenstance of our birth...blah blah blah..As Pete Seeger said, we're all going to make it over the rainbow together or none of us will.

For the record, my children are in a "rich school" in western MoCo with a parent community very capable of supplementing in every way. I have no personal/family investment in this larger distribution of resources, unless you count my own peace of mind.

If upcounty/western county/high SES folks were able to put money into classroom aides (or whatever they want to pay for), MCPS would probably simply change their schools' allocation and apply more dollars to the higher FARMS schools. You seem to have a problem with that because you want to be the most politically correct poster on the board, as usual. If you're really worried about high FARMS schools, just pick one and make a donation direct to their PTA. It's tax deductible. Furthermore, you seem incapable of understanding that not everybody is affluent based on the happenstance of their birth. My husband and I are (relatively) well off thanks to the fact that we worked our tails off to put ourselves through college and grad school.

Not PP, but virtually everyone who went to college & grad school, whether they worked their way through or not, was born into circumstances that permitted them to get there to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I did. But, obviously people can differ on what is "fair.". The minimal level is, by definition, what is mandated in the county budget and paid for through taxes. Parents simply should not be prohibited from supplementing extras for their schools. That is fair too. In addition, schools that have these extras will, likely, maintain property values etc., which will, in turn, generate even more taxes that will be used county-wide. This is hardly "let them eat cake.".
Your attitude is so destructive and harmful to schools.

I think we are departing from different assumptions. My assumptions are:

1. Not everyone is on the same level playing field and many of us (my family and I included) are affluent and comfortable thanks to the happenstance of our birth...blah blah blah..As Pete Seeger said, we're all going to make it over the rainbow together or none of us will.

For the record, my children are in a "rich school" in western MoCo with a parent community very capable of supplementing in every way. I have no personal/family investment in this larger distribution of resources, unless you count my own peace of mind.

If upcounty/western county/high SES folks were able to put money into classroom aides (or whatever they want to pay for), MCPS would probably simply change their schools' allocation and apply more dollars to the higher FARMS schools. You seem to have a problem with that because you want to be the most politically correct poster on the board, as usual. If you're really worried about high FARMS schools, just pick one and make a donation direct to their PTA. It's tax deductible. Furthermore, you seem incapable of understanding that not everybody is affluent based on the happenstance of their birth. My husband and I are (relatively) well off thanks to the fact that we worked our tails off to put ourselves through college and grad school.

How can you say "as usual" about any poster given the anonymity here?

This post cracks me up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I did. But, obviously people can differ on what is "fair.". The minimal level is, by definition, what is mandated in the county budget and paid for through taxes. Parents simply should not be prohibited from supplementing extras for their schools. That is fair too. In addition, schools that have these extras will, likely, maintain property values etc., which will, in turn, generate even more taxes that will be used county-wide. This is hardly "let them eat cake.".
Your attitude is so destructive and harmful to schools.

I think we are departing from different assumptions. My assumptions are:

1. Not everyone is on the same level playing field and many of us (my family and I included) are affluent and comfortable thanks to the happenstance of our birth...blah blah blah..As Pete Seeger said, we're all going to make it over the rainbow together or none of us will.

For the record, my children are in a "rich school" in western MoCo with a parent community very capable of supplementing in every way. I have no personal/family investment in this larger distribution of resources, unless you count my own peace of mind.

If upcounty/western county/high SES folks were able to put money into classroom aides (or whatever they want to pay for), MCPS would probably simply change their schools' allocation and apply more dollars to the higher FARMS schools. You seem to have a problem with that because you want to be the most politically correct poster on the board, as usual. If you're really worried about high FARMS schools, just pick one and make a donation direct to their PTA. It's tax deductible. Furthermore, you seem incapable of understanding that not everybody is affluent based on the happenstance of their birth. My husband and I are (relatively) well off thanks to the fact that we worked our tails off to put ourselves through college and grad school.

How can you say "as usual" about any poster given the anonymity here?

This post cracks me up.

It's the same poster from another thread making the same word for word argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I are (relatively) well off thanks to the fact that we worked our tails off to put ourselves through college and grad school.[/b]

Not PP, but virtually everyone who went to college & grad school, whether they worked their way through or not, was born into circumstances that permitted them to get there to begin with.

Not everybody who managed to get a degree was born into affluence. You and PP are full of political correctness run amuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I did. But, obviously people can differ on what is "fair.". The minimal level is, by definition, what is mandated in the county budget and paid for through taxes. Parents simply should not be prohibited from supplementing extras for their schools. That is fair too. In addition, schools that have these extras will, likely, maintain property values etc., which will, in turn, generate even more taxes that will be used county-wide. This is hardly "let them eat cake.".
Your attitude is so destructive and harmful to schools.

I think we are departing from different assumptions. My assumptions are:

1. Not everyone is on the same level playing field and many of us (my family and I included) are affluent and comfortable thanks to the happenstance of our birth...blah blah blah..As Pete Seeger said, we're all going to make it over the rainbow together or none of us will.

For the record, my children are in a "rich school" in western MoCo with a parent community very capable of supplementing in every way. I have no personal/family investment in this larger distribution of resources, unless you count my own peace of mind.

If upcounty/western county/high SES folks were able to put money into classroom aides (or whatever they want to pay for), MCPS would probably simply change their schools' allocation and apply more dollars to the higher FARMS schools. You seem to have a problem with that because you want to be the most politically correct poster on the board, as usual. If you're really worried about high FARMS schools, just pick one and make a donation direct to their PTA. It's tax deductible. Furthermore, you seem incapable of understanding that not everybody is affluent based on the happenstance of their birth. My husband and I are (relatively) well off thanks to the fact that we worked our tails off to put ourselves through college and grad school.

How can you say "as usual" about any poster given the anonymity here?

This post cracks me up.

It's the same poster from another thread making the same word for word argument.

PP here. I didn't participate in that thread, and since I didn't copy anything, nothing I wrote is "word for word" anything.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/opinion/28krugman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I did. But, obviously people can differ on what is "fair.". The minimal level is, by definition, what is mandated in the county budget and paid for through taxes. Parents simply should not be prohibited from supplementing extras for their schools. That is fair too. In addition, schools that have these extras will, likely, maintain property values etc., which will, in turn, generate even more taxes that will be used county-wide. This is hardly "let them eat cake.".
Your attitude is so destructive and harmful to schools.

I think we are departing from different assumptions. My assumptions are:

1. Not everyone is on the same level playing field and many of us (my family and I included) are affluent and comfortable thanks to the happenstance of our birth...blah blah blah..As Pete Seeger said, we're all going to make it over the rainbow together or none of us will.

For the record, my children are in a "rich school" in western MoCo with a parent community very capable of supplementing in every way. I have no personal/family investment in this larger distribution of resources, unless you count my own peace of mind.

If upcounty/western county/high SES folks were able to put money into classroom aides (or whatever they want to pay for), MCPS would probably simply change their schools' allocation and apply more dollars to the higher FARMS schools. You seem to have a problem with that because you want to be the most politically correct poster on the board, as usual. If you're really worried about high FARMS schools, just pick one and make a donation direct to their PTA. It's tax deductible. Furthermore, you seem incapable of understanding that not everybody is affluent based on the happenstance of their birth. My husband and I are (relatively) well off thanks to the fact that we worked our tails off to put ourselves through college and grad school.

This is just an ad hominem attack and adds nothing to the substance of this discussion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem

If you really want to discuss, then address PP's points on their merits.

[Anonymous]

I only wish my child had the chance to go to public school in Bethsda. Just can't afford to live there.