MoCo360/formerly Bethesda Magazine and Em Espy

[Anonymous]

Jack Smith used to have weekly press conferences. At least that was one way reporters could get answers.

Not answering questions makes it seem that there are problems that you are trying to hide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s not on the Bethesda 360 reporter. I’m a journalist and try to interview administrators and teachers in the district, and they tell me they can get fired if they don’t have central office permission to speak. The district likes to handpick who speaks to reporters. I know several MCPS staff members who had their hand slapped for going rogue and talking to a reporter. Some will speak but only with anonymity.

This is normal in a large organization. I, too, am not allowed to speak on behalf of my employer despite being a senior manager. The only people allowed to speak to the media are the press team and the senior leadership. No big organization is let just anyone speak to the press.

I'm not a big MCPS booster (a relatively happy parent, but not a booster), but this idea that we should be shocked that random staff are not speaking to the press is pretty laughable.

Private industry is not comparable to public government agencies. MCPS is a public school system funded by the county taxpayers. As such, there should be greater transparency.

If a reporter is constantly hitting roadblocks by MCPS when asking questions, that is a newsworthy issue to report about. What is the leadership trying to hide? Why are they reluctant to be transparent?

DP but every public government agency has a spokesperson or department that speaks for the agency. No agency let any employee speaks on their behalf.

Nearly all, if not all, public agencies allow their employees to talk to reporters while speaking in a personal capacity. Even if it relates to work, provided that work is publicly known. Beyond that, some agencies, including where I work, have a formal policy allowing staff to talk about their work to reporters in an official capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s not on the Bethesda 360 reporter. I’m a journalist and try to interview administrators and teachers in the district, and they tell me they can get fired if they don’t have central office permission to speak. The district likes to handpick who speaks to reporters. I know several MCPS staff members who had their hand slapped for going rogue and talking to a reporter. Some will speak but only with anonymity.

This is normal in a large organization. I, too, am not allowed to speak on behalf of my employer despite being a senior manager. The only people allowed to speak to the media are the press team and the senior leadership. No big organization is let just anyone speak to the press.

I'm not a big MCPS booster (a relatively happy parent, but not a booster), but this idea that we should be shocked that random staff are not speaking to the press is pretty laughable.

Private industry is not comparable to public government agencies. MCPS is a public school system funded by the county taxpayers. As such, there should be greater transparency.

If a reporter is constantly hitting roadblocks by MCPS when asking questions, that is a newsworthy issue to report about. What is the leadership trying to hide? Why are they reluctant to be transparent?

THIS!

Taxpayers should demand more transparency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jack Smith used to have weekly press conferences. At least that was one way reporters could get answers.

Not answering questions makes it seem that there are problems that you are trying to hide.

Or lots really dumb questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s not on the Bethesda 360 reporter. I’m a journalist and try to interview administrators and teachers in the district, and they tell me they can get fired if they don’t have central office permission to speak. The district likes to handpick who speaks to reporters. I know several MCPS staff members who had their hand slapped for going rogue and talking to a reporter. Some will speak but only with anonymity.

This is normal in a large organization. I, too, am not allowed to speak on behalf of my employer despite being a senior manager. The only people allowed to speak to the media are the press team and the senior leadership. No big organization is let just anyone speak to the press.

I'm not a big MCPS booster (a relatively happy parent, but not a booster), but this idea that we should be shocked that random staff are not speaking to the press is pretty laughable.

Private industry is not comparable to public government agencies. MCPS is a public school system funded by the county taxpayers. As such, there should be greater transparency.

If a reporter is constantly hitting roadblocks by MCPS when asking questions, that is a newsworthy issue to report about. What is the leadership trying to hide? Why are they reluctant to be transparent?

THIS!

Taxpayers should demand more transparency.

They are already transparent. The problem is you don't like their choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s not on the Bethesda 360 reporter. I’m a journalist and try to interview administrators and teachers in the district, and they tell me they can get fired if they don’t have central office permission to speak. The district likes to handpick who speaks to reporters. I know several MCPS staff members who had their hand slapped for going rogue and talking to a reporter. Some will speak but only with anonymity.

This is normal in a large organization. I, too, am not allowed to speak on behalf of my employer despite being a senior manager. The only people allowed to speak to the media are the press team and the senior leadership. No big organization is let just anyone speak to the press.

I'm not a big MCPS booster (a relatively happy parent, but not a booster), but this idea that we should be shocked that random staff are not speaking to the press is pretty laughable.

Private industry is not comparable to public government agencies. MCPS is a public school system funded by the county taxpayers. As such, there should be greater transparency.

If a reporter is constantly hitting roadblocks by MCPS when asking questions, that is a newsworthy issue to report about. What is the leadership trying to hide? Why are they reluctant to be transparent?

THIS!

Taxpayers should demand more transparency.

They are already transparent. The problem is you don't like their choices.

I 100% disagree. Not answering questions especially by the Superintendent and withholding data when asked for it is the very definition of a lack of transparency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s not on the Bethesda 360 reporter. I’m a journalist and try to interview administrators and teachers in the district, and they tell me they can get fired if they don’t have central office permission to speak. The district likes to handpick who speaks to reporters. I know several MCPS staff members who had their hand slapped for going rogue and talking to a reporter. Some will speak but only with anonymity.

This is normal in a large organization. I, too, am not allowed to speak on behalf of my employer despite being a senior manager. The only people allowed to speak to the media are the press team and the senior leadership. No big organization is let just anyone speak to the press.

I'm not a big MCPS booster (a relatively happy parent, but not a booster), but this idea that we should be shocked that random staff are not speaking to the press is pretty laughable.

Private industry is not comparable to public government agencies. MCPS is a public school system funded by the county taxpayers. As such, there should be greater transparency.

If a reporter is constantly hitting roadblocks by MCPS when asking questions, that is a newsworthy issue to report about. What is the leadership trying to hide? Why are they reluctant to be transparent?

THIS!

Taxpayers should demand more transparency.

They are already transparent. The problem is you don't like their choices.

They are transparent?

Mcknight’s contract said she would live here. Does she?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s not on the Bethesda 360 reporter. I’m a journalist and try to interview administrators and teachers in the district, and they tell me they can get fired if they don’t have central office permission to speak. The district likes to handpick who speaks to reporters. I know several MCPS staff members who had their hand slapped for going rogue and talking to a reporter. Some will speak but only with anonymity.

This is normal in a large organization. I, too, am not allowed to speak on behalf of my employer despite being a senior manager. The only people allowed to speak to the media are the press team and the senior leadership. No big organization is let just anyone speak to the press.

I'm not a big MCPS booster (a relatively happy parent, but not a booster), but this idea that we should be shocked that random staff are not speaking to the press is pretty laughable.

Private industry is not comparable to public government agencies. MCPS is a public school system funded by the county taxpayers. As such, there should be greater transparency.

If a reporter is constantly hitting roadblocks by MCPS when asking questions, that is a newsworthy issue to report about. What is the leadership trying to hide? Why are they reluctant to be transparent?

THIS!

Taxpayers should demand more transparency.

They are already transparent. The problem is you don't like their choices.

They are transparent?

Mcknight’s contract said she would live here. Does she?

It said she had to move to MoCo by July 2023.

[Anonymous]

I find it odd that Dr. McKnight’s spending priorities include a hefty PR contract but MCPS has become less transparent under her leadership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it odd that Dr. McKnight’s spending priorities include a hefty PR contract but MCPS has become less transparent under her leadership.

PR people are about spin, not transparency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s not on the Bethesda 360 reporter. I’m a journalist and try to interview administrators and teachers in the district, and they tell me they can get fired if they don’t have central office permission to speak. The district likes to handpick who speaks to reporters. I know several MCPS staff members who had their hand slapped for going rogue and talking to a reporter. Some will speak but only with anonymity.

This is normal in a large organization. I, too, am not allowed to speak on behalf of my employer despite being a senior manager. The only people allowed to speak to the media are the press team and the senior leadership. No big organization is let just anyone speak to the press.

I'm not a big MCPS booster (a relatively happy parent, but not a booster), but this idea that we should be shocked that random staff are not speaking to the press is pretty laughable.

Private industry is not comparable to public government agencies. MCPS is a public school system funded by the county taxpayers. As such, there should be greater transparency.

If a reporter is constantly hitting roadblocks by MCPS when asking questions, that is a newsworthy issue to report about. What is the leadership trying to hide? Why are they reluctant to be transparent?

THIS!

Taxpayers should demand more transparency.

They are already transparent. The problem is you don't like their choices.

They are transparent?

Mcknight’s contract said she would live here. Does she?

It said she had to move to MoCo by July 2023.

And?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s not on the Bethesda 360 reporter. I’m a journalist and try to interview administrators and teachers in the district, and they tell me they can get fired if they don’t have central office permission to speak. The district likes to handpick who speaks to reporters. I know several MCPS staff members who had their hand slapped for going rogue and talking to a reporter. Some will speak but only with anonymity.

This is normal in a large organization. I, too, am not allowed to speak on behalf of my employer despite being a senior manager. The only people allowed to speak to the media are the press team and the senior leadership. No big organization is let just anyone speak to the press.

I'm not a big MCPS booster (a relatively happy parent, but not a booster), but this idea that we should be shocked that random staff are not speaking to the press is pretty laughable.

Private industry is not comparable to public government agencies. MCPS is a public school system funded by the county taxpayers. As such, there should be greater transparency.

If a reporter is constantly hitting roadblocks by MCPS when asking questions, that is a newsworthy issue to report about. What is the leadership trying to hide? Why are they reluctant to be transparent?

THIS!

Taxpayers should demand more transparency.

They are already transparent. The problem is you don't like their choices.

They are transparent?

Mcknight’s contract said she would live here. Does she?

It's not July 2023 yet. So save that one for after it passes the deadline.