Who is Mike Durso?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He is a truly wonderful, competent, capable educator who genuinely cares about students, staff, and the community as a whole. Many years ago, he was an assistant principal at FKA Wilson HS. He had the respect and the affection of the students— a rare skill that speaks well of him. The more I’ve worked in education, the more I respect “Durso” as I’ve learned more about his career. So, yeah, my opinions are based on very dated first hand experiences, and less dated secondhand information, but as a Montgomery County resident, I’m happy to have my tax dollars spent to hire people with his expertise and experience.

But he's 81. Is an octogenarian really the best person for the job? (Yes, I have the same questions about Biden.. seeing how my father is doing cognitively who is similar in age.)

Your ageism is disgusting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He is a truly wonderful, competent, capable educator who genuinely cares about students, staff, and the community as a whole. Many years ago, he was an assistant principal at FKA Wilson HS. He had the respect and the affection of the students— a rare skill that speaks well of him. The more I’ve worked in education, the more I respect “Durso” as I’ve learned more about his career. So, yeah, my opinions are based on very dated first hand experiences, and less dated secondhand information, but as a Montgomery County resident, I’m happy to have my tax dollars spent to hire people with his expertise and experience.

I’d rather have my tax dollars go to paying a competent superintendent who can fulfill her job description rather than needing to spend more money to fill the gaps in her performance

THIS.

Brian Stockton was chief of staff for only 18 months. His "reason" for leaving - a brand-new, long-distance marriage with a spouse who suddenly seemed too far away? Gotta wonder about this. How many executive staff has McKnight gone through in her reign of error? This system can't gain traction if she can't hold onto leadership staff, which she can't do because she terrorizes people. We have way more "acting" management than we should have.

When if the BOE going to say enough?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He is a truly wonderful, competent, capable educator who genuinely cares about students, staff, and the community as a whole. Many years ago, he was an assistant principal at FKA Wilson HS. He had the respect and the affection of the students— a rare skill that speaks well of him. The more I’ve worked in education, the more I respect “Durso” as I’ve learned more about his career. So, yeah, my opinions are based on very dated first hand experiences, and less dated secondhand information, but as a Montgomery County resident, I’m happy to have my tax dollars spent to hire people with his expertise and experience.

I’d rather have my tax dollars go to paying a competent superintendent who can fulfill her job description rather than needing to spend more money to fill the gaps in her performance

THIS.

Brian Stockton was chief of staff for only 18 months. His "reason" for leaving - a brand-new, long-distance marriage with a spouse who suddenly seemed too far away? Gotta wonder about this. How many executive staff has McKnight gone through in her reign of error? This system can't gain traction if she can't hold onto leadership staff, which she can't do because she terrorizes people. We have way more "acting" management than we should have.

When if the BOE going to say enough?

+1

The quote about the reasons for the current Chief’s departure was certainly odd - a lady doth protest too much moment. For a system that’s closed lip about everything and requires citizens to FOIA even the most basic info, a highly detailed explanation of an employee’s personal life struck me as really trying too hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing says technology expert more that your grandparents who want you to show them how the internet works. It's a quarter million dollar jobs program. This is why in America socialism is for the rich only.

Well, that’s random. Do you have any thoughts on Michael Durso that you’d care to share?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he genuinely cares put him in a classroom and maybe geriatric people will be less likely to be abused by their students. I doubt it though. Let the geezer retire. He's been able to make 6 fig salaries for how many decades. For gosh sakes let the old man retire.

This. Let him come in to help mentor some school principals, APs, teachers in years 1-5, heck even some district supervisors if necessary. He does not need to be Chief of Staff.

Isn’t mentoring district supervisors — who then mentor principals, who then mentor APs and teachers, part of the job? Even on a pan interim basis?

No, that sounds more like the Chief of School Support than the Chief of Staff. Here is the latter's position description:

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/personnel/classification/descriptions/description.aspx?fn=0458-1425

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He is a truly wonderful, competent, capable educator who genuinely cares about students, staff, and the community as a whole. Many years ago, he was an assistant principal at FKA Wilson HS. He had the respect and the affection of the students— a rare skill that speaks well of him. The more I’ve worked in education, the more I respect “Durso” as I’ve learned more about his career. So, yeah, my opinions are based on very dated first hand experiences, and less dated secondhand information, but as a Montgomery County resident, I’m happy to have my tax dollars spent to hire people with his expertise and experience.

I’d rather have my tax dollars go to paying a competent superintendent who can fulfill her job description rather than needing to spend more money to fill the gaps in her performance

THIS.

Brian Stockton was chief of staff for only 18 months. His "reason" for leaving - a brand-new, long-distance marriage with a spouse who suddenly seemed too far away? Gotta wonder about this. How many executive staff has McKnight gone through in her reign of error? This system can't gain traction if she can't hold onto leadership staff, which she can't do because she terrorizes people. We have way more "acting" management than we should have.

When if the BOE going to say enough?

+1

[Anonymous]

Mike Durso was and still is well respected within MCPS. If Dr. McKnight listens to his input the system will improve. If she doesn't I can picture Mr. Durso leaving rather quickly. He doesn't need this job and the headaches that will come with it.

[Anonymous]

If they paddled kids 40 years ago this old dude should bring it back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they paddled kids 40 years ago this old dude should bring it back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they paddled kids 40 years ago this old dude should bring it back.

He ran a charter school. He can open up some charter schools in Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He is a truly wonderful, competent, capable educator who genuinely cares about students, staff, and the community as a whole. Many years ago, he was an assistant principal at FKA Wilson HS. He had the respect and the affection of the students— a rare skill that speaks well of him. The more I’ve worked in education, the more I respect “Durso” as I’ve learned more about his career. So, yeah, my opinions are based on very dated first hand experiences, and less dated secondhand information, but as a Montgomery County resident, I’m happy to have my tax dollars spent to hire people with his expertise and experience.

But he's 81. Is an octogenarian really the best person for the job? (Yes, I have the same questions about Biden.. seeing how my father is doing cognitively who is similar in age.)

Your ageism is disgusting

Most people start to experience cognitive decline at that age. It's a fair question.

[Anonymous]

Stockton is gone and that’s a good thing because he was implicated in the Jackson Lewis report. I wonder if he left before or after the IG interviewed him for her second report.

We should all be happy to see that McKnight is cleaning house. The best outcome for MCPS is that she fixes the problems and rebuilds trust. Firing another superintendent would be a bad look for the school system after they fired Starr and after Smith had a short tenure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is only in 3rd grade so I never paid attention to the board of education while he was on it. I saw a couple of articles that he is the new chief of staff? Is he any good?

81 year old former BOE member who endorsed McKnight for superintendent. She is now paying him back with advisory appointments and now a full-time job with benefits (car and credit card).

She wants people on her team with experience and good judgement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stockton is gone and that’s a good thing because he was implicated in the Jackson Lewis report. I wonder if he left before or after the IG interviewed him for her second report.

We should all be happy to see that McKnight is cleaning house. The best outcome for MCPS is that she fixes the problems and rebuilds trust. Firing another superintendent would be a bad look for the school system after they fired Starr and after Smith had a short tenure.

She's been cleaning house since day one. The problem is many of the disgruntled anti-MCPS posters are against everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stockton is gone and that’s a good thing because he was implicated in the Jackson Lewis report. I wonder if he left before or after the IG interviewed him for her second report.

We should all be happy to see that McKnight is cleaning house. The best outcome for MCPS is that she fixes the problems and rebuilds trust. Firing another superintendent would be a bad look for the school system after they fired Starr and after Smith had a short tenure.

She's been cleaning house since day one. The problem is many of the disgruntled anti-MCPS posters are against everything.

Durso and Navarro are the insiders. That is not cleaning the house. That is reinforcing the house with the same people.

The Beidleman scandal broke to the public in August. McKnight did nothing.