RSCC office staff

[Anonymous]

With all due respect, I believe that we are standing up for the institution by questioning the iron-clad secrecy in this leadership change. For all the reasons you cited about the school being great, that's why people are upset. That is, Betsy was a huge part of that. What sort of a loving, safe, stable environment does this to the kids?

Anonymous wrote:I have to say I have never been on this website before and i have never posted anything. I heard there was a chat about RSCC and I felt compelled to put my two cents in. I am a mom of two (a pre school age child and infant) and both are enrolled at RSCC and have been there since they were 8 weeks old. I love Rock Spring and enrolling my children is the best decision my husband and I have ever made. I am sadden to see all of the negative posts. Yes, Betsy leaving was sudden but one person does not make our school. My husband and I decided to enroll our children because we felt that the community (teachers, parents and directors together) created a loving, safe and stable environment. Betsy leaving does not change that. Of course this is only opinion and we are entitled to voice our concerns. However, it is one thing to voice concern and another to take part in idle gossip. I feel like someone has to stand up for the institution that has been such a huge part of my family's life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:RSCC parent here. It could be a personal issue that lead Betsy to leave.

Putting myself in her shoes, I would be very upset about this thread. Sometimes details of people's personal decisions aren't meant to be shared with hundreds of people. I don't think this reflects badly on RSCC as a whole.

If it were a personal issue, that's understandable, but the cryptic nature of the note suggests otherwise. As previously pointed out, this is not the way Betsy would choose to leave, even if there was a personal reason for her departure. This absolutely reflects badly on RSCC as a whole, but more specifically, its reputation has been in jeopardy ever since the board president and CEO took over. By the way, what a stupid, grandiose title. Self-important much?

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of this school but noticed this thread got to 3 pages and decided to see why and now I want to know what happened to Betsy!!!

[Anonymous]

I had no idea that this was a non profit school !
I tried to enroll my tripplets and they did not offer me a discount!! I went to a downtown location -( for profit ) and they offered me a handsome discount. We are there almost 15 months.We love it.
Shocked to know this is a non profit organization!

[Anonymous]

8:11 Triplet mom, can you share what your discount is? I also have triplets in Bethesda. Our daycare is offering a 10% discount off all 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one is gossiping here. Just expressing opinions and general disappointment over losing a wonderful asset to the school. People will speculate when something like this happens so suddenly with absolutely no explanation. The teachers are so great and really care, but there has been a lot of recent turnover, more than before the new and improved leadership was put in place. One person does not make the school, but the people in charge set the tone.

People aren't gossiping - are you reading the same chain PP? A poster before you stated "Betsy was the face of RSCC- always so warm and cheerful, smiling, and friendly to everyone. It's too bad I can't say the same about the president and CEO or the other longtime director."

If people enroll their child or children based on one person within and institution, rather than looking at the institution as a whole...then that is a problem. There has been SOME turnover with teachers that have made a professional or personal reason to leave. I would not go as far as to say a lot. If you are counting the high school teachers that come during the summer or the volunteers, then I think you need to recheck your numbers.

Betsy will be missed. There is no question about that. But please do not bash the school you still have your child or children enrolled in. It is still a wonderful place.

[Anonymous]

Good luck Betsy with whatever your next chapter holds.

[Anonymous]

To any RSCC staff or board members reading, I hope you know that parents are asking because they loved Betsy and it would not be in her nature, even if she was having personal issues to up and leave the school without notice. Without so much as a goodbye to the teachers and students. This is different then a coworker up leaving a project. There would be some gossip, but in the end most people would shrug their shoulders and move on. But within a school where your children spend most of their day, parents are very invested in what is happening and transparency isn’t a bad thing. It’s not because parents are nosy and want to gossip, it’s because this woman was a major part of the school. Viewed not only as an administrator, but a friend and confidant. She is a highly trained, educated, hard working, and loving person that really exemplified RSCC. We are all sad to loose someone who was such an integral part of the school, without even so much as a heads up. If there was some basis for her leaving or being let go sometimes a little proactivity and explanation goes a long way.

Just to touch upon transparency again and the posters bringing up the board. I personally have no idea how certain parents get to be board members and I have never voted for any. I think an open environment where board member are proposed and voted on by all the parents and staff would not be a bad thing. We vote on board members for our HOAs, religious groups, companies, and career affiliations, so why are we not voting on board members here? Usually there is a brief bio about why the person wants to be on the board and what skills they bring to the table. In this case, expert in fundraising, masters in teaching, CPA, county employee who understands licensing, etc.). Membership shouldn’t be based on the deep pockets of the parents who can afford to give large sums of donations to the school each year. At least that is the impression most parents have at the school. Not saying that is the case, just the impression. Attendance to board meetings should also be open and welcomed to parents to participate.

I think that every parent that has their children enrolled at RSCC just wants it to be the best place it can be. We are all invested in the school being awesome and wanting to brag about how cool RSCC. Most of us already do. The facility and teachers are great, but being a non-profit comes with an expectation of transparency.

[Anonymous]

I was so relieved to read this thread! I was totally shocked and saddened by Betsy's seemingly forced departure and the completely inadequate response from the leadership. I was really afraid we were the only ones who were concerned The truth is, I'm nervous to directly inquire about what happened for fear of being labeled a "trouble maker." what do we do? Request a meeting? Not just a board one but a parent-administration meeting? The lack of transparency is astonishing and if anyone even questions a decision at that school he's ostracized by the front office. I know from experience; I once questioned the ridiculous annual increase in tuition, which is about 5 times the rate of inflation. Our teachers deserve raises, but so do I and I haven't had one in 3 years.

[Anonymous]

I echo the poster below. It seems that we've always faced the tuition increase...which has always been "compared" to other schools. That is, it's a selective list of comparative tuition rates. That's also why some of us believe that we're paying for profit rates.

The Government froze the social security payments for this year as there was no justifiable need for a cost of living adjustment. This was for the 2nd year in a row. However, I'm pretty sure that our tuition was not frozen the past two years. Don't even get me started on my raise. I should call it a 'lower' but I digress.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/15/news/economy/Social_Security_cost_of_living_adjustment/index.htm

Anonymous wrote:I was so relieved to read this thread! I was totally shocked and saddened by Betsy's seemingly forced departure and the completely inadequate response from the leadership. I was really afraid we were the only ones who were concerned The truth is, I'm nervous to directly inquire about what happened for fear of being labeled a "trouble maker." what do we do? Request a meeting? Not just a board one but a parent-administration meeting? The lack of transparency is astonishing and if anyone even questions a decision at that school he's ostracized by the front office. I know from experience; I once questioned the ridiculous annual increase in tuition, which is about 5 times the rate of inflation. Our teachers deserve raises, but so do I and I haven't had one in 3 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I echo the poster below. It seems that we've always faced the tuition increase...which has always been "compared" to other schools. That is, it's a selective list of comparative tuition rates. That's also why some of us believe that we're paying for profit rates.

The Government froze the social security payments for this year as there was no justifiable need for a cost of living adjustment. This was for the 2nd year in a row. However, I'm pretty sure that our tuition was not frozen the past two years. Don't even get me started on my raise. I should call it a 'lower' but I digress.
http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/15/news/economy/Social_Security_cost_of_living_adjustment/index.htm

Anonymous wrote:I was so relieved to read this thread! I was totally shocked and saddened by Betsy's seemingly forced departure and the completely inadequate response from the leadership. I was really afraid we were the only ones who were concerned The truth is, I'm nervous to directly inquire about what happened for fear of being labeled a "trouble maker." what do we do? Request a meeting? Not just a board one but a parent-administration meeting? The lack of transparency is astonishing and if anyone even questions a decision at that school he's ostracized by the front office. I know from experience; I once questioned the ridiculous annual increase in tuition, which is about 5 times the rate of inflation.Our teachers deserve raises, but so do I and I haven't had one in 3 years

Oh please - see the bold - you are going to try and make it about the teachers but make it about yourself. I highly HIGHLY doubt the teachers have the same living conditions as the both of you.

[Anonymous]

What if it is a legal issue? I'm not a lawyer and can't pretend to be one, but if it is a legal issue, I don't think they are able to say anything.

[Anonymous]

I wish that they would just tell us why they are being so quiet about her departure. If it is a legal issue, then say so. If it is a personal issue that Betsy wanted to keep private, then say so. Maybe they are worried that it will open a bigger can of worms, but the huge elephant sitting in the school is more than worrisome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish that they would just tell us why they are being so quiet about her departure. If it is a legal issue, then say so. If it is a personal issue that Betsy wanted to keep private, then say so. Maybe they are worried that it will open a bigger can of worms, but the huge elephant sitting in the school is more than worrisome.

totally, totally agree (i am the OP of this thread btw). all we want is an explanation as to what kind of thing we are dealing with. this affects the entire school community and needs to be addressed - this is the place where our children spend their days and we need to feel comfortable with the way things are handled there!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish that they would just tell us why they are being so quiet about her departure. If it is a legal issue, then say so. If it is a personal issue that Betsy wanted to keep private, then say so. Maybe they are worried that it will open a bigger can of worms, but the huge elephant sitting in the school is more than worrisome.

totally, totally agree (i am the OP of this thread btw). all we want is an explanation as to what kind of thing we are dealing with. this affects the entire school community and needs to be addressed - this is the place where our children spend their days and we need to feel comfortable with the way things are handled there!!

I am not on the Board, just a parent with kid in the program. And I think this is totally blown WAY out of proportion. Betsy was great, but she's just an employee like any other employee. Carrie and Erin are great, too. We don't know what led to the departure, and no, I don't think we are entitled to know what led to the departure unless it directly affects our children. And, to me, it just doesn't look like it does. And nothing that's been said or spread in all the above vitriol gives me any reason to suspect otherwise. Are my kids well-cared for while I am working - Absolutely. Do the teachers seem happy to be there and happy to see the kids (Absolutely). Does my $$ appear to go to good use - yes - the facility, the toys, the caregivers, everything is top notch - unlike those other "comparative" facilities where the toys are old, the playground is old, and the facilities always look like they need rehab. No knock on the others - they have wonderful caregivers, too - but they also have their share of drama in admin - as any workplace does. Is the Board open? Yes - everything that is discussed in a meeting is published in the newsletter, and if you want more detailed information you can discuss with any board member. I personally am glad that there are parents willing to take on this thankless task (see above for all the gratitude), as it takes more time and effort than most have, including me. Again, this is one staff decision - I get that you may have been friends or thought that Betsy was the best thing since sliced bread - but she left, so get over it and move on, and put your energies to making the place better, not tearing it down with innuendo and gossip.