BOE election candidates 2024

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you know about Natalie Zimmerman, candidate from District 2?

I think she volunteered as a tribute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

Was your point that MCCPTA experience qualifies you to be a BoE member?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

Was your point that MCCPTA experience qualifies you to be a BoE member?

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

How has Evans used that perspective effectively in her 8 years on the board?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

So I actually prefer people who fight for social justice to people who fight against social justice. But different people have different preferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

So I actually prefer people who fight for social justice to people who fight against social justice. But different people have different preferences.

Me too. Which is why I’d much prefer Evans and her background in this area and experience as a black woman over the white empty nester

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

How has Evans used that perspective effectively in her 8 years on the board?

If you really need a list of ways the MCPS BOE has been progressive and leading the way to remedy the achievement gap for black and brown children, you haven’t been paying attention at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

How has Evans used that perspective effectively in her 8 years on the board?

Yes, I'd like to know what Evans has accomplished as well. I know she liked to go on the dog-and-pony shows to schools that the superintendent went on. What else has Evans done?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

So I actually prefer people who fight for social justice to people who fight against social justice. But different people have different preferences.

Me too. Which is why I’d much prefer Evans and her background in this area and experience as a black woman over the white empty nester

You prefer the person who was elected to the BoE based on a particular background to the person who wants to be elected to the BoE based on that same background.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

How has Evans used that perspective effectively in her 8 years on the board?

If you really need a list of ways the MCPS BOE has been progressive and leading the way to remedy the achievement gap for black and brown children, you haven’t been paying attention at all.

All I see are gimmicks like Honors For All being used to lower the gap by limiting opportunities for high-achieving students. There has been no real progress on this front. Maybe there won't ever be since the underlying problems aren't things the government can address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

How has Evans used that perspective effectively in her 8 years on the board?

If you really need a list of ways the MCPS BOE has been progressive and leading the way to remedy the achievement gap for black and brown children, you haven’t been paying attention at all.

So Evans was responsible for remedying the achievement gap for black and brown children. Can you provide some specifics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

You'll never guess what Shebra Evans did before she was elected.

I think you just proved my point. Evan’s is largely invisible and shows that MCCPTA experience doesn’t necessarily make one a good BOE member. But she actually has years of experience on the board now. And a perspective that I think is needed more than middle aged white social justice warrior.

How has Evans used that perspective effectively in her 8 years on the board?

If you really need a list of ways the MCPS BOE has been progressive and leading the way to remedy the achievement gap for black and brown children, you haven’t been paying attention at all.

There has been no “remedying” of the achievement gap for black and brown children. There has been a lowering of the bar and coercion of teachers to inflate grades and socially promote to make the numbers for black and brown children look better. This is borne out by the fact that the classroom grades for black and brown children have improved while standardized test scores have fallen.

I say this as a black parent, so don’t try to accuse me of being a racist white person who doesn’t want to see black and brown children do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stewart has worked tirelessly to secure funding for MCPS schools, particularly for renovations, rebuilds, and new buildings. It is absolute drudgery and “grunt” work. If you think someone who has volunteered for years to learn the ins and outs of school funding, and to lobby for adequate funding, is an “insider” so be it. But as I look at the list of individuals challenging the incumbents I see nobody else who knows the system as well as Stewart. Given the state of affairs, I’d like to have somebody on the board who isn’t a complete novice.

I see someone who knows the system very well, didn’t speak up for any of the victims, and continues to be mild in her criticism of the BOE. Funny how much that sounds like the current members.

What has Shebra Evans done?

Or do you prefer the candidate who wants to dismantle the public school system altogether?

Shebra Evans does a lot, and she’s the only BOE member who’s ever followed up on a note that I sent. I’m open to someone different but Laura Stewart isn’t different enough to make it worth it to get rid of an experienced member.

That’s where my head is at. Laura Stewart is just another Lynn Harris and Jill Ortman Fouse and on and on goes the MCCPTA pipeline.

Shebra Evans is also part of the MCCPTA pipeline, not that she did a lot in MCCPTA at the time. She is a very pleasant person, but is not a dynamic leader. Who was it that said 95% of life is showing up? That's what Shebra does, she just shows up, with her rubber stamp handy. For D4, you have a choice to make. You can choose a pleasant incumbent who shows up at meetings. Laura Stewart I find to be a more active advocate - whether you agree with everything she advocates is up to you, but she is working hard on understanding issues and proposing solutions. She has a handle of how the $3.2 billion budget is organized and what the problems are. Bethany Mandel seems to be a one-note candidate for D4 - interested in banning books. She homeschools her children so doesn't have a sense of how schools are organized.

Not sure why Laura Stewart gets all this credit for "experience" with MCPS or "deep knowledge" of things like the budget. in her capacity as an MCCPTA lifer, she basically assembles talking points from the various schools/clusters and regurgitates those to the BOE in testimony. I don't see a lot of original thought or cutting edge ideas coming from her. I'm thankful that she volunteers her time with MCCPTA, but I don't see how this role somehow qualifies her to be on the Board. I really wish an outsider ran for District 4. But as between Laura Stewart and Evans, I'd rather have Evans because she seems less focused on the social issues and distractions that bog down the BOE. Stewart is more of a middle-aged white progressive busy-body. With Lynn Harris already on the board to assume that mantle I think Evans' perspective is more valuable as one of only 2 black members of the BOE.

The other place Laura Stewart gets her talking points is from developers. The developers have managed to use enough liberal buzzwords to convince progressives that the developer’s agenda is aligned with a progressive education agenda. So rather than demanding that the County make developers pay more to support education, advocates like Laura Stewart supported cutting taxes for developers while increasing taxes on residents.