New Waiver Request

[Anonymous]

Has anyone seen this?
http://www.gazette.net/article/20140331/NEWS/140339962/1022/state-denies-montgomery-x2019-s-snow-waiver-request&template=gazette

[Anonymous]

If they submit this, I wonder how the state superintendent will decide. They would only add Easter Monday and ask for a waiver of four days.

[Anonymous]

Well, Easter Monday's coming up soon. They should be deciding quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they submit this, I wonder how the state superintendent will decide. They would only add Easter Monday and ask for a waiver of four days.

No, they would add Easter Monday and the Friday after the last scheduled day -- so two days.

[Anonymous]

They had already planned on adding a Friday of the last week, the only thing new is the Monday after Easter. That might work, though at this point, they have to understand that many kids will be away given that it is in three weeks, which means it won't be a meaningful day, which they know. Whether the state will take that into account, it is hard to say but it sure would have been better if MCPS made a real plan weeks ago, and they could have used the Professional Day last Friday -- which, while not ideal, is better than all of the alternatives. Shameful that they did not even try.

[Anonymous]

They will laugh at them. Stupid county did nothing. Other counties are taking away 2-3 days in Spring Break, Professional days, Presidents Day, half days. We get denied and reapply in 1 day only adding one day? This county is so stupid.

[Anonymous]

Wait so only Takoma Park had the thought to not start camps immediately after school ended? Even though the rest know the contingency. Seriously? This county is so ass backwards.

Deny the waiver. Send your emails again!

[Anonymous]

State Super told Starr informally tonight that no waiver was going to be grated. She is fed up with counties cancelling school on every dinky snow event day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:State Super told Starr informally tonight that no waiver was going to be grated. She is fed up with counties cancelling school on every dinky snow event day.

And you know this how?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They had already planned on adding a Friday of the last week, the only thing new is the Monday after Easter. That might work, though at this point, they have to understand that many kids will be away given that it is in three weeks, which means it won't be a meaningful day, which they know. Whether the state will take that into account, it is hard to say but it sure would have been better if MCPS made a real plan weeks ago, and they could have used the Professional Day last Friday -- which, while not ideal, is better than all of the alternatives. Shameful that they did not even try.

The days added on to the end won't be meaningful either.

[Anonymous]

Yes most camps start right after school ends. This is when parents need them to start.

How many substitutes will be needed Easter Monday???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:State Super told Starr informally tonight that no waiver was going to be grated. She is fed up with counties cancelling school on every dinky snow event day.

What's your source?

I don't think MCPS cancelled for any "dinky snow" events - at least, not in my neighborhood. But I do think MCPS trying to get by with adding Easter Monday and only 1 extra day in June won't cut it for Lowery. MCPS might be looking at making up 6 days total, not 2.

[Anonymous]

Why have the higher numbers been ok for other county's? If it is ok for MD kids to miss 5 days it should be fine for all MD kids if there is true educational concern. Especially when the hours are met.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why have the higher numbers been ok for other county's? If it is ok for MD kids to miss 5 days it should be fine for all MD kids if there is true educational concern. Especially when the hours are met.

I think the other counties have followed their pre-approved contingency plans, but the plans don't cover all the missed days, so they are asking for waivers for the rest. MCPS is not following its pre-approved contingency plan. If I were the state superintendent, I would want MCPS to follow its plan (add a week of school to cover 9 days missed) and then ask for a waiver for the 10th day, which was beyond the plan. Or at least I would want an explanation as to why MCPS made and published a plan and now isn't following it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why have the higher numbers been ok for other county's? If it is ok for MD kids to miss 5 days it should be fine for all MD kids if there is true educational concern. Especially when the hours are met.

I think the other counties have followed their pre-approved contingency plans, but the plans don't cover all the missed days, so they are asking for waivers for the rest. MCPS is not following its pre-approved contingency plan. If I were the state superintendent, I would want MCPS to follow its plan (add a week of school to cover 9 days missed) and then ask for a waiver for the 10th day, which was beyond the plan. Or at least I would want an explanation as to why MCPS made and published a plan and now isn't following it.

+1