APS - appointment of superintendent tonight?

[Anonymous]

Great now we have a superintendent who ONLY sees race

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great now we have a superintendent who ONLY sees race

I'm not sure why you'd say that, but this doesn't seem like a great hire for APS. Nothing in his background tells me he's especially equipped to do a good job with the budgetary or facilities issues facing APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, anyone know his stance with ELA curriculum? Because FFX is horrible with it, teaching the bass ackwards way that kids will learn to read, write, and spell by osmosis, with little direct instruction.

It’s funny when FCPS parents come concern trolling in APS threads.

Incorrect, just a really frustrated APS parent who knows that my friends in FFX have the same concerns about ELA instruction. And it’s families in multiple different FFX schools (none in AAP), so I assumed it was a countywide curriculum approach. I am hoping that the new Super recognizes that “balanced literacy” is bunk and will reverse course immediately as a matter of equity. I went to one of the focus groups and said exactly this.

Sounds like your problems have been with APS, so what an odd way to frame your question.

I was hoping for someone from outside the Northern VA bubble who might bring an entirely new perspective. Despite some of the threads that pop up here, I don't think FFX and Arlington Public Schools are that different in the challenges we face and the solutions that we bring to the table. This feels like status quo to me.

Did you look beyond his most recent job? He's worked in Trenton, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Albuquerque.

That’s a lot of bouncing around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great now we have a superintendent who ONLY sees race

I'm not sure why you'd say that, but this doesn't seem like a great hire for APS. Nothing in his background tells me he's especially equipped to do a good job with the budgetary or facilities issues facing APS.

APS has to focus on instruction (which seems to always get fifth or sixth priority), how to best utilize its limited resources and (related) facilities. He doesn't need to be an expert is any or all of these if he provides leadership on each. I'm worried his entire career focus on "equity" will make for all talk on that issue and no talk/direction/leadership on the others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, anyone know his stance with ELA curriculum? Because FFX is horrible with it, teaching the bass ackwards way that kids will learn to read, write, and spell by osmosis, with little direct instruction.

It’s funny when FCPS parents come concern trolling in APS threads.

Incorrect, just a really frustrated APS parent who knows that my friends in FFX have the same concerns about ELA instruction. And it’s families in multiple different FFX schools (none in AAP), so I assumed it was a countywide curriculum approach. I am hoping that the new Super recognizes that “balanced literacy” is bunk and will reverse course immediately as a matter of equity. I went to one of the focus groups and said exactly this.

Sounds like your problems have been with APS, so what an odd way to frame your question.

I was hoping for someone from outside the Northern VA bubble who might bring an entirely new perspective. Despite some of the threads that pop up here, I don't think FFX and Arlington Public Schools are that different in the challenges we face and the solutions that we bring to the table. This feels like status quo to me.

Did you look beyond his most recent job? He's worked in Trenton, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Albuquerque.

That’s a lot of bouncing around.

Looks like a lot of experience to me in a positive light, I guess someone could say the same about my resume. I see it that you come with better knowledge and versatility. I am middle aged and my generation X certainly have to move around to move up unlike my parents generation ( retired baby boomers or nearly retired). I think we should give him a chance, he was over Philadelphia public schools, wouldn't say that that was an easy job!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great now we have a superintendent who ONLY sees race

I'm not sure why you'd say that, but this doesn't seem like a great hire for APS. Nothing in his background tells me he's especially equipped to do a good job with the budgetary or facilities issues facing APS.

APS has to focus on instruction (which seems to always get fifth or sixth priority), how to best utilize its limited resources and (related) facilities. He doesn't need to be an expert is any or all of these if he provides leadership on each. I'm worried his entire career focus on "equity" will make for all talk on that issue and no talk/direction/leadership on the others.

I am guessing he ended up being trotted out regularly by FCPS as a demonstration of their supposed commitment to equity but he would have had to have been in the trenches as a superintendent of the schools in Trenton (a very poor city). I’m just not convinced he has the chops to secure the money APS needs and use it strategically and efficiently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great now we have a superintendent who ONLY sees race

You sound more than a little racist. That someone thinks racial inequality is an important issue doesn’t mean they think it’s the only issue.

[Anonymous]

Salary seems at least 100k low, for what the job requires.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Salary seems at least 100k low, for what the job requires.

It's about $50K below the superintendents at other area systems, but they are larger systems and more demanding positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great now we have a superintendent who ONLY sees race

You sound more than a little racist. That someone thinks racial inequality is an important issue doesn’t mean they think it’s the only issue.

Their whole previous job was making that the only issue. I'd rather someone who could focus on all the systemic problems not just one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He hasn’t even started and you’re “annoyed” already? That is classic Arlington.

Seriously. Which is probably why they didn't have more applicants for the job. Look at everything that was going on when Murphy quit. You have to really be up for a challenge to want to take this on!

How many applicants would be typical for this type of position?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great now we have a superintendent who ONLY sees race

You sound more than a little racist. That someone thinks racial inequality is an important issue doesn’t mean they think it’s the only issue.

Their whole previous job was making that the only issue. I'd rather someone who could focus on all the systemic problems not just one.

Anyone whose previous job was at an assistant superintendent level would have been focused on only one part of the system (e.g. teaching and learning, information services, administrative service, planning), because a superintendent’s office typically is structured as one superintendent with multiple assistant superintendents who oversee specific aspects of the system. Would you have the same objection if his prior job had been as an AS of information services or facilitates and operations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Salary seems at least 100k low, for what the job requires.

It's about $50K below the superintendents at other area systems, but they are larger systems and more demanding positions.

I run a $3M organization and I earn 300K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, anyone know his stance with ELA curriculum? Because FFX is horrible with it, teaching the bass ackwards way that kids will learn to read, write, and spell by osmosis, with little direct instruction.

It’s funny when FCPS parents come concern trolling in APS threads.

Incorrect, just a really frustrated APS parent who knows that my friends in FFX have the same concerns about ELA instruction. And it’s families in multiple different FFX schools (none in AAP), so I assumed it was a countywide curriculum approach. I am hoping that the new Super recognizes that “balanced literacy” is bunk and will reverse course immediately as a matter of equity. I went to one of the focus groups and said exactly this.

Sounds like your problems have been with APS, so what an odd way to frame your question.

I was hoping for someone from outside the Northern VA bubble who might bring an entirely new perspective. Despite some of the threads that pop up here, I don't think FFX and Arlington Public Schools are that different in the challenges we face and the solutions that we bring to the table. This feels like status quo to me.

Me, too; the last Fairfax import worked out SO WELL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Salary seems at least 100k low, for what the job requires.

It's about $50K below the superintendents at other area systems, but they are larger systems and more demanding positions.

I run a $3M organization and I earn 300K.

Is it a governmental entity?