How Come BOE Candidate Stephen Austin Won’t Say What His Employment Is??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the bottom line on Stephen Austin is that, until the boundary issue arose and raised concerns in his mind that his property value might decline and his kids might have to attend schools different than the ones he assumed they would attend, he did absolutely nothing to help make county schools better. Nothing. Every other candidate for the At-Large seat has at least done SOMETHING to address issues/concerns in MCPS. His Facebook posts consistently show him to be a thin-skinned Johnny come lately who thinks simple questions about his touted financial expertise are just too personal and certainly not to be scrutinized by the voters he wants to represent. You want an independent audit of MCPS books? I am with you! You want an IG? I am with you. You want a guy who had no interest in anything MCPS just a few months ago? No thanks.

So you're saying that demanding fiscal responsibility by MCPS won't make schools better? Somehow I think that working as a BOE member to reduce fraud, waste and abuse is a great reason to run for the BOE.

Once again, having experience in "investments" is not the same as having experience with "budgets". IMO, he knows nothing about managing school budgets. I'm not saying the current BOE is great, but I don't think Austin has any experience to root out fraud or waste in education.

Plus it's not like a budget is a budget is a budget. The MCPS budget reflects MCPS operations. To understand the MCPS budget, it helps to know something about MCPS operations.

Like BOE member Docca? She doesn't even use email. Is she qualified?

Not using email does not mean she doesn't understand about budgets.

Trump doesn't use email, either, from what I understand. Does that mean he is not qualified to lead our economy?

So all budgets are equal, but some budgets are more equal than others?

So Austin isn't qualified to look at the MCPS budget because he doesn't have experience with MCPS? As a parent with kids in MCPS, I'm sure he has first-hand experience with the effects of the BOE's actions. In fact, perhaps having an "outsider's" view would be helpful?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

He's not all about property values, never has been.

Maybe he isn't, but some of his supporters sure are. Starting with the Potomac Glen HOA. Also, the many people have told me in real life that they oppose boundary changes because they're worried it will lower their property value. Maybe they assumed I agree with them because I look like them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

So all budgets are equal, but some budgets are more equal than others?

So Austin isn't qualified to look at the MCPS budget because he doesn't have experience with MCPS? As a parent with kids in MCPS, I'm sure he has first-hand experience with the effects of the BOE's actions. In fact, perhaps having an "outsider's" view would be helpful?

Use of e-mail, and understanding of budgets, are separate issues, aren't they?

It seems pretty obvious, to me, that when you try to understand the MCPS budget, it helps to have a general knowledge of the things the MCPS budget pays for. And the MCPS pays for a whole lot more things than just the schools Steve Austin's children attend. If I were running for a seat on the BoE, I would have the same doubts about my ability to understand the MCPS budget - except that Steve Austin's experience with MCPS as an MCPS parent and county resident is even less than mine. And except that I generally try to inform myself about a subject before I talk about it in public. Ignorance plus a loud voice, that's a dangerous combination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So all budgets are equal, but some budgets are more equal than others?

So Austin isn't qualified to look at the MCPS budget because he doesn't have experience with MCPS? As a parent with kids in MCPS, I'm sure he has first-hand experience with the effects of the BOE's actions. In fact, perhaps having an "outsider's" view would be helpful?

Use of e-mail, and understanding of budgets, are separate issues, aren't they?

It seems pretty obvious, to me, that when you try to understand the MCPS budget, it helps to have a general knowledge of the things the MCPS budget pays for. And the MCPS pays for a whole lot more things than just the schools Steve Austin's children attend. If I were running for a seat on the BoE, I would have the same doubts about my ability to understand the MCPS budget - except that Steve Austin's experience with MCPS as an MCPS parent and county resident is even less than mine. And except that I generally try to inform myself about a subject before I talk about it in public. Ignorance plus a loud voice, that's a dangerous combination.

Lots of new CEOs and executives join companies with minimal knowledge of their day to day operations. This is often seen as a good thing to shake things up. The new CEO looks at the company's priorities, budget, staffing, etc... with a critical eye, asking uncomfortable questions that prior management could not or would not ask. The same applies to a new commanding officer in the military.

This seems to be the real fear of many on this board.

If MCPS officials are confident that they are spending their budget correctly and 100% to support the education of our children, they should be proud to educate someone from the outside. Let the PowerPoint presentations fly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So all budgets are equal, but some budgets are more equal than others?

So Austin isn't qualified to look at the MCPS budget because he doesn't have experience with MCPS? As a parent with kids in MCPS, I'm sure he has first-hand experience with the effects of the BOE's actions. In fact, perhaps having an "outsider's" view would be helpful?

Use of e-mail, and understanding of budgets, are separate issues, aren't they?

It seems pretty obvious, to me, that when you try to understand the MCPS budget, it helps to have a general knowledge of the things the MCPS budget pays for. And the MCPS pays for a whole lot more things than just the schools Steve Austin's children attend. If I were running for a seat on the BoE, I would have the same doubts about my ability to understand the MCPS budget - except that Steve Austin's experience with MCPS as an MCPS parent and county resident is even less than mine. And except that I generally try to inform myself about a subject before I talk about it in public. Ignorance plus a loud voice, that's a dangerous combination.

Lots of new CEOs and executives join companies with minimal knowledge of their day to day operations. This is often seen as a good thing to shake things up. The new CEO looks at the company's priorities, budget, staffing, etc... with a critical eye, asking uncomfortable questions that prior management could not or would not ask. The same applies to a new commanding officer in the military.

This seems to be the real fear of many on this board.

If MCPS officials are confident that they are spending their budget correctly and 100% to support the education of our children, they should be proud to educate someone from the outside. Let the PowerPoint presentations fly.

I would love to attend a BOE meeting where an MCPS official was justifying his/her budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Lots of new CEOs and executives join companies with minimal knowledge of their day to day operations. This is often seen as a good thing to shake things up. The new CEO looks at the company's priorities, budget, staffing, etc... with a critical eye, asking uncomfortable questions that prior management could not or would not ask. The same applies to a new commanding officer in the military.

This seems to be the real fear of many on this board.

If MCPS officials are confident that they are spending their budget correctly and 100% to support the education of our children, they should be proud to educate someone from the outside. Let the PowerPoint presentations fly.

Often seen as a good thing, by whom? Would you hire a school superintendent who didn't know anything about schools? I wouldn't. I also don't want a BoE member who doesn't know anything about schools. And I really, really don't want a BoE member who doesn't know anything about schools and doesn't seem very interesting in learning, either; or even listening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So all budgets are equal, but some budgets are more equal than others?

So Austin isn't qualified to look at the MCPS budget because he doesn't have experience with MCPS? As a parent with kids in MCPS, I'm sure he has first-hand experience with the effects of the BOE's actions. In fact, perhaps having an "outsider's" view would be helpful?

Use of e-mail, and understanding of budgets, are separate issues, aren't they?

It seems pretty obvious, to me, that when you try to understand the MCPS budget, it helps to have a general knowledge of the things the MCPS budget pays for. And the MCPS pays for a whole lot more things than just the schools Steve Austin's children attend. If I were running for a seat on the BoE, I would have the same doubts about my ability to understand the MCPS budget - except that Steve Austin's experience with MCPS as an MCPS parent and county resident is even less than mine. And except that I generally try to inform myself about a subject before I talk about it in public. Ignorance plus a loud voice, that's a dangerous combination.

The difference between you and Mr. Austin is that you're not running and he is. What you would do if you were him is irrelevant. He's doing what he wants, and is by no means ignorant. Having a different opinion isn't ignorant, it's diversity of thought. And before you say he should have an "informed opinion," that depends on how you define informed. One can be informed, and yet have a different opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the bottom line on Stephen Austin is that, until the boundary issue arose and raised concerns in his mind that his property value might decline and his kids might have to attend schools different than the ones he assumed they would attend, he did absolutely nothing to help make county schools better. Nothing. Every other candidate for the At-Large seat has at least done SOMETHING to address issues/concerns in MCPS. His Facebook posts consistently show him to be a thin-skinned Johnny come lately who thinks simple questions about his touted financial expertise are just too personal and certainly not to be scrutinized by the voters he wants to represent. You want an independent audit of MCPS books? I am with you! You want an IG? I am with you. You want a guy who had no interest in anything MCPS just a few months ago? No thanks.

So you're saying that demanding fiscal responsibility by MCPS won't make schools better? Somehow I think that working as a BOE member to reduce fraud, waste and abuse is a great reason to run for the BOE.

Once again, having experience in "investments" is not the same as having experience with "budgets". IMO, he knows nothing about managing school budgets. I'm not saying the current BOE is great, but I don't think Austin has any experience to root out fraud or waste in education.

Plus it's not like a budget is a budget is a budget. The MCPS budget reflects MCPS operations. To understand the MCPS budget, it helps to know something about MCPS operations.

Like BOE member Docca? She doesn't even use email. Is she qualified?

Not using email does not mean she doesn't understand about budgets.

Trump doesn't use email, either, from what I understand. Does that mean he is not qualified to lead our economy?

So all budgets are equal, but some budgets are more equal than others?

So Austin isn't qualified to look at the MCPS budget because he doesn't have experience with MCPS? As a parent with kids in MCPS, I'm sure he has first-hand experience with the effects of the BOE's actions. In fact, perhaps having an "outsider's" view would be helpful?

No, I'm saying just because knows about investments (because that's what many of his supporters are touting) that does not mean he understands anything about school budgets. Two different skill sets; two different animals. Could he bring a different perspective? Sure, but so can others who are running but aren't as divisive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I would love to attend a BOE meeting where an MCPS official was justifying his/her budget.

You can. They do it every year. You can attend in person, or you can watch it live, or you can watch it later. You can even watch it now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

So all budgets are equal, but some budgets are more equal than others?

So Austin isn't qualified to look at the MCPS budget because he doesn't have experience with MCPS? As a parent with kids in MCPS, I'm sure he has first-hand experience with the effects of the BOE's actions. In fact, perhaps having an "outsider's" view would be helpful?

Use of e-mail, and understanding of budgets, are separate issues, aren't they?

It seems pretty obvious, to me, that when you try to understand the MCPS budget, it helps to have a general knowledge of the things the MCPS budget pays for. And the MCPS pays for a whole lot more things than just the schools Steve Austin's children attend. If I were running for a seat on the BoE, I would have the same doubts about my ability to understand the MCPS budget - except that Steve Austin's experience with MCPS as an MCPS parent and county resident is even less than mine. And except that I generally try to inform myself about a subject before I talk about it in public. Ignorance plus a loud voice, that's a dangerous combination.

The difference between you and Mr. Austin is that you're not running and he is. What you would do if you were him is irrelevant. He's doing what he wants, and is by no means ignorant. Having a different opinion isn't ignorant, it's diversity of thought. And before you say he should have an "informed opinion," that depends on how you define informed. One can be informed, and yet have a different opinion.

OK. He's not ignorant. He just knows less about MCPS than I do, and I don't know very much.

This isn't about a difference of opinion; it's about knowledge. He is uninformed and has a different opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For me, the bottom line on Stephen Austin is that, until the boundary issue arose and raised concerns in his mind that his property value might decline and his kids might have to attend schools different than the ones he assumed they would attend, he did absolutely nothing to help make county schools better. Nothing. Every other candidate for the At-Large seat has at least done SOMETHING to address issues/concerns in MCPS. His Facebook posts consistently show him to be a thin-skinned Johnny come lately who thinks simple questions about his touted financial expertise are just too personal and certainly not to be scrutinized by the voters he wants to represent. You want an independent audit of MCPS books? I am with you! You want an IG? I am with you. You want a guy who had no interest in anything MCPS just a few months ago? No thanks.

So you're saying that demanding fiscal responsibility by MCPS won't make schools better? Somehow I think that working as a BOE member to reduce fraud, waste and abuse is a great reason to run for the BOE.

No, I’m not saying that at all. I absolutely want more oversight of MCPS. The BOE is completely outgunned by MCPS staff. The BOE rely far too much on what the MCPS staff tell them is so. As I said in the post, I welcome an audit and/or an independent IG. I just don’t trust a guy who talks about transparency, but is then not at all transparent about his own work history as a “finance guy.”

As for the issue of property values and kids attending local schools, Mr. Austin can’t have it both ways.

Yes he can.

He says he wants all kids to get a fair shot at a good education, but then doesn’t want to change the boundaries to make that more of a possibility.

Boundary changes don't guaranty a fair shot at education.

Let’s be honest here.

As if we weren't being honest before? Usually when someone says this, they're about to tell something that isn't quite the truth...

The quality of the facilities and opportunities in MCPS is closely tied to zip codes and boundary lines.

Nope. The biggest factor in educational quality is not the facilities, or even the teachers for that matter. It's parental involvement in a child's education. Kids can learn in an outdoor tent if they're given instruction and pushed/inspired to put in the work. Based on your logic, none of the kids from poorer neighborhoods can be sent to any school that receives less money (i.e. facilities upgrades, lower number of teachers, etc...)

I think it is fair to say, given his own statements on the issue, that Mr. Austin bought his home expecting that his kids would go to certain schools.

Hence his position, "neighborhood schools" - not economic diversity.

I think that expectation is shared by many in MoCo simply BECAUSE it has been about 40 years since the last systemwide boundary study was done. But, as with any house purchase, there are no guarantees on what could happen to increase or decrease value. According to public records, Mr. Austin’s house has appreciated nicely since he bought it. I think that’s great. But if it it dips a bit because of a boundary change, since he has been in the house for just a few years, I am quite certain it will rebound nicely over the remaining years of his note, assuming he went with a 15 or 30- year fixed. Perhaps he didn’t. Maybe he went with an ARM with a balloon payment. That’s riskier, of course, but he was a “hedge fund guy” so he is clearly not averse to risky investing.

He's not all about property values, never has been.

Not ALL about property values...just mostly...as are some of his most ardent supporters and campaign contributors.

[Anonymous]

When is the last time the Board of Edcation shook up the mcps budget? Answer, never.

The MCPS staff present the budget, the board askems a few questions, the budget passes. Oh wait, a few years back parents testifying were able to get reading initiative teachers put back in the budget after MCPS took them out. That's about as "shook up" as the MCPS budget gets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When is the last time the Board of Edcation shook up the mcps budget? Answer, never.

The MCPS staff present the budget, the board askems a few questions, the budget passes. Oh wait, a few years back parents testifying were able to get reading initiative teachers put back in the budget after MCPS took them out. That's about as "shook up" as the MCPS budget gets.

Yep, pretty much a rubber stamp. This is why we need BOE members who will challenge and oversee MCPS, rather than jump straight into wholesale boundary relocation. That's like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic so that those in steerage get a better view as the ship sinks. At least they'll have mixed with the rich kids for a while....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When is the last time the Board of Edcation shook up the mcps budget? Answer, never.

The MCPS staff present the budget, the board askems a few questions, the budget passes. Oh wait, a few years back parents testifying were able to get reading initiative teachers put back in the budget after MCPS took them out. That's about as "shook up" as the MCPS budget gets.

Yep, pretty much a rubber stamp. This is why we need BOE members who will challenge and oversee MCPS, rather than jump straight into wholesale boundary relocation. That's like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic so that those in steerage get a better view as the ship sinks. At least they'll have mixed with the rich kids for a while....

There is no "wholesale boundary relocation." Stop spreading misinformation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Lots of new CEOs and executives join companies with minimal knowledge of their day to day operations. This is often seen as a good thing to shake things up. The new CEO looks at the company's priorities, budget, staffing, etc... with a critical eye, asking uncomfortable questions that prior management could not or would not ask. The same applies to a new commanding officer in the military.

This seems to be the real fear of many on this board.

If MCPS officials are confident that they are spending their budget correctly and 100% to support the education of our children, they should be proud to educate someone from the outside. Let the PowerPoint presentations fly.

Often seen as a good thing, by whom? Would you hire a school superintendent who didn't know anything about schools? I wouldn't. I also don't want a BoE member who doesn't know anything about schools. And I really, really don't want a BoE member who doesn't know anything about schools and doesn't seem very interesting in learning, either; or even listening.

He has no experience with schools, school system or is even a very involved parent with his kids schools. Huge red flags. However he is worried about his property and the schools his kids attend. Another huge red flag.