What is the Board of Ed Doing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:January was a horrendous month for MCPS. Lack of Covid planning that led to staffing shortages that affected learning and transportation for learning. Lack of testing that fueled a surge in cases after winter break. Votes of no confidence against the interim superintendent by two major unions in MCPS. Now a gun in one high school and a shooting that critically injured a student at another high school all in the same day.

Shouldn’t the Board be having an emergency session? Shouldn’t they be concerned about the lack of leadership in MCPS?

I am stunned by their silence and lack of response.

And a special needs student murdered because the moms pleas for appropriate placement were denied.

MCPS is in a crisis and the BOE prefers to keep its head in the sand.

Scott Joftus tweeted that he filed for next election! That’s doing something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:January was a horrendous month for MCPS. Lack of Covid planning that led to staffing shortages that affected learning and transportation for learning. Lack of testing that fueled a surge in cases after winter break. Votes of no confidence against the interim superintendent by two major unions in MCPS. Now a gun in one high school and a shooting that critically injured a student at another high school all in the same day.

Shouldn’t the Board be having an emergency session? Shouldn’t they be concerned about the lack of leadership in MCPS?

I am stunned by their silence and lack of response.

And a special needs student murdered because the moms pleas for appropriate placement were denied.

MCPS is in a crisis and the BOE prefers to keep its head in the sand.

Scott Joftus tweeted that he filed for next election! That’s doing something.

The guy appointed to the seat whose wife’s business is a benefactor of MCPS largess is running to keep his seat? Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:January was a horrendous month for MCPS. Lack of Covid planning that led to staffing shortages that affected learning and transportation for learning. Lack of testing that fueled a surge in cases after winter break. Votes of no confidence against the interim superintendent by two major unions in MCPS. Now a gun in one high school and a shooting that critically injured a student at another high school all in the same day.

Shouldn’t the Board be having an emergency session? Shouldn’t they be concerned about the lack of leadership in MCPS?

I am stunned by their silence and lack of response.

Um why exactly is a special session needed?? The BOE and many im Central Office are having meetings and presentations to discuss the Operating Budget for the 2022-2023. All while still focusing on what is occurring with Covid and shortages. Shortages that are a national issue not specific to MCPS. They committed to keeping schools open and have accomplished that despite temporary tougher points.

Dr, McKnight has already had a press conference about Macgruder HS. Not sure what she or the BOE could have done to prevent it from occurring. Its not like they have a direct line to every students thinking and guns are a big part of American culture. No one wants to send their kid to school that looks ir acts like a prison. And before someone goes commenting about SRO’s that was a County Council decision not a BOE decision and there is no guarantee an SRO would have prevented the incident, as incidents occurred when SRO’s were present in the building. They too are not omnipotent. The folks that need attention right now are those at the HS impacted. Its my understanding they’re getting it. Anything more public right now would be performatory.

If people want changes they should ask their politicians tough questions about relevant issues and stop electing them on wedge issues, one issue, or parry affiliation.

Whoever this is that keeps posting on behalf of monifa is the worst.

The problem is you don't know what you don't know.

Many things could have been done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:January was a horrendous month for MCPS. Lack of Covid planning that led to staffing shortages that affected learning and transportation for learning. Lack of testing that fueled a surge in cases after winter break. Votes of no confidence against the interim superintendent by two major unions in MCPS. Now a gun in one high school and a shooting that critically injured a student at another high school all in the same day.

Shouldn’t the Board be having an emergency session? Shouldn’t they be concerned about the lack of leadership in MCPS?

I am stunned by their silence and lack of response.

Um why exactly is a special session needed?? The BOE and many im Central Office are having meetings and presentations to discuss the Operating Budget for the 2022-2023. All while still focusing on what is occurring with Covid and shortages. Shortages that are a national issue not specific to MCPS. They committed to keeping schools open and have accomplished that despite temporary tougher points.

Dr, McKnight has already had a press conference about Macgruder HS. Not sure what she or the BOE could have done to prevent it from occurring. Its not like they have a direct line to every students thinking and guns are a big part of American culture. No one wants to send their kid to school that looks ir acts like a prison. And before someone goes commenting about SRO’s that was a County Council decision not a BOE decision and there is no guarantee an SRO would have prevented the incident, as incidents occurred when SRO’s were present in the building. They too are not omnipotent. The folks that need attention right now are those at the HS impacted. Its my understanding they’re getting it. Anything more public right now would be performatory.

If people want changes they should ask their politicians tough questions about relevant issues and stop electing them on wedge issues, one issue, or parry affiliation.

Whoever this is that keeps posting on behalf of monifa is the worst.

The problem is you don't know what you don't know.

Many things could have been done.

It’s pretty pathetic and really puts Dr. McKnight and the BOE in a bad light.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Evidently we should send our kids to school and expect them to be murdered. Sorry, nothing anyone can do.

What do you want them to do? Treat schools like prisons with cavity searches?

This is incredible. Do you think the only two options available are school prison and just hope and prey our kids are not violent crime victims while in the care of MCPS?

When we send minor kids to school they are in MCPSs care. MCPS has an obligation to protect them. If MCPS says that they cannot protect our kids then they are failing in their legal duty. Point blank.

But you didn't answer the question--what do you want them to do?

DP - maybe start by reading the other post on how to fix mcps?

Their argument is really dumb. What is MCPS to do? Anything. Everything.


We are legally obligated to put our kids in their care and in turn MCPS is legally obligated to protect them while they are in their care.

Imagine a scene of an MCPS attorney explaining to a court that while they have billions of dollars they have no idea how to keep kids safe while in their care?

Exactly. This is outrageous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:January was a horrendous month for MCPS. Lack of Covid planning that led to staffing shortages that affected learning and transportation for learning. Lack of testing that fueled a surge in cases after winter break. Votes of no confidence against the interim superintendent by two major unions in MCPS. Now a gun in one high school and a shooting that critically injured a student at another high school all in the same day.

Shouldn’t the Board be having an emergency session? Shouldn’t they be concerned about the lack of leadership in MCPS?

I am stunned by their silence and lack of response.

And a special needs student murdered because the moms pleas for appropriate placement were denied.

MCPS is in a crisis and the BOE prefers to keep its head in the sand.

Scott Joftus tweeted that he filed for next election! That’s doing something.

Scott Joftus also uses his BOE position to promote his business. Which I think reinforces concerns about the KID Museum conflict of interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:January was a horrendous month for MCPS. Lack of Covid planning that led to staffing shortages that affected learning and transportation for learning. Lack of testing that fueled a surge in cases after winter break. Votes of no confidence against the interim superintendent by two major unions in MCPS. Now a gun in one high school and a shooting that critically injured a student at another high school all in the same day.

Shouldn’t the Board be having an emergency session? Shouldn’t they be concerned about the lack of leadership in MCPS?

I am stunned by their silence and lack of response.

Um why exactly is a special session needed?? The BOE and many im Central Office are having meetings and presentations to discuss the Operating Budget for the 2022-2023. All while still focusing on what is occurring with Covid and shortages. Shortages that are a national issue not specific to MCPS. They committed to keeping schools open and have accomplished that despite temporary tougher points.

Dr, McKnight has already had a press conference about Macgruder HS. Not sure what she or the BOE could have done to prevent it from occurring. Its not like they have a direct line to every students thinking and guns are a big part of American culture. No one wants to send their kid to school that looks ir acts like a prison. And before someone goes commenting about SRO’s that was a County Council decision not a BOE decision and there is no guarantee an SRO would have prevented the incident, as incidents occurred when SRO’s were present in the building. They too are not omnipotent. The folks that need attention right now are those at the HS impacted. Its my understanding they’re getting it. Anything more public right now would be performatory.

If people want changes they should ask their politicians tough questions about relevant issues and stop electing them on wedge issues, one issue, or parry affiliation.

Whoever this is that keeps posting on behalf of monifa is the worst.

The problem is you don't know what you don't know.

Many things could have been done.

It’s pretty pathetic and really puts Dr. McKnight and the BOE in a bad light.

I’m the poster and the post isn’t in support of McKnight or the BOE, its just doesn’t automatically blame them for EVERYTHING wrong or bad that happens in a school. Many of ya’ll seem to act like the BOE or McKnight can just wave a wand and anything and everything will be solved. As though they should just do al the things YOU suggest, and everything will be right in the world. Unfortunately here in reality, it doesn’t work that way. They are other people who don’t necessarily agree with your suggestions or have other ideas that have to be taken into consideration. There are staff contracts that need to be taken into consideration. The are local, state, and federal guidelines that need to be taken into consideration. There is normal operations and a host of other issues that have to be taken into consideration and prioritized.

A week ago (and some even now) were up in arms about COVID and schools being open. There was also Substitutes, Teacher Shortages, Bus Driver Shortages, Learn Loss & Tutoring. A few weeks before that the BOE and McKnight were being blamed for a sexual assault. I mean last week, folks here were actually complaining about the amount of communication that occurred during the Macgruder lockdown, as though during that time, it would be someone’s job to sit down and craft e-mails and tweets beyond the initial basics. Not even taking into account, how doing so might actually decrease safety.

Should the school administration, Super, and BOE pay attention when those bad things happen? Sure. Should they plan in advance to try to prevent bad things? Sure. Does any of this mean that bad things will no longer happen? No. What happened was a tragedy that no reasonable parent wants to see happen in a school. But, folks also need to realize that MCPS is not some nirvana bubble exempt from experiencing the same things that happen other places. And being quick to point fingers when you don’t even have all the facts makes you look sad and like an issue of the day person who has no grasp in how large organizations really work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:January was a horrendous month for MCPS. Lack of Covid planning that led to staffing shortages that affected learning and transportation for learning. Lack of testing that fueled a surge in cases after winter break. Votes of no confidence against the interim superintendent by two major unions in MCPS. Now a gun in one high school and a shooting that critically injured a student at another high school all in the same day.

Shouldn’t the Board be having an emergency session? Shouldn’t they be concerned about the lack of leadership in MCPS?

I am stunned by their silence and lack of response.

Um why exactly is a special session needed?? The BOE and many im Central Office are having meetings and presentations to discuss the Operating Budget for the 2022-2023. All while still focusing on what is occurring with Covid and shortages. Shortages that are a national issue not specific to MCPS. They committed to keeping schools open and have accomplished that despite temporary tougher points.

Dr, McKnight has already had a press conference about Macgruder HS. Not sure what she or the BOE could have done to prevent it from occurring. Its not like they have a direct line to every students thinking and guns are a big part of American culture. No one wants to send their kid to school that looks ir acts like a prison. And before someone goes commenting about SRO’s that was a County Council decision not a BOE decision and there is no guarantee an SRO would have prevented the incident, as incidents occurred when SRO’s were present in the building. They too are not omnipotent. The folks that need attention right now are those at the HS impacted. Its my understanding they’re getting it. Anything more public right now would be performatory.

If people want changes they should ask their politicians tough questions about relevant issues and stop electing them on wedge issues, one issue, or parry affiliation.

Whoever this is that keeps posting on behalf of monifa is the worst.

The problem is you don't know what you don't know.

Many things could have been done.

It’s pretty pathetic and really puts Dr. McKnight and the BOE in a bad light.

I’m the poster and the post isn’t in support of McKnight or the BOE, its just doesn’t automatically blame them for EVERYTHING wrong or bad that happens in a school. Many of ya’ll seem to act like the BOE or McKnight can just wave a wand and anything and everything will be solved. As though they should just do al the things YOU suggest, and everything will be right in the world. Unfortunately here in reality, it doesn’t work that way. They are other people who don’t necessarily agree with your suggestions or have other ideas that have to be taken into consideration. There are staff contracts that need to be taken into consideration. The are local, state, and federal guidelines that need to be taken into consideration. There is normal operations and a host of other issues that have to be taken into consideration and prioritized.

A week ago (and some even now) were up in arms about COVID and schools being open. There was also Substitutes, Teacher Shortages, Bus Driver Shortages, Learn Loss & Tutoring. A few weeks before that the BOE and McKnight were being blamed for a sexual assault. I mean last week, folks here were actually complaining about the amount of communication that occurred during the Macgruder lockdown, as though during that time, it would be someone’s job to sit down and craft e-mails and tweets beyond the initial basics. Not even taking into account, how doing so might actually decrease safety.

Should the school administration, Super, and BOE pay attention when those bad things happen? Sure. Should they plan in advance to try to prevent bad things? Sure. Does any of this mean that bad things will no longer happen? No. What happened was a tragedy that no reasonable parent wants to see happen in a school. But, folks also need to realize that MCPS is not some nirvana bubble exempt from experiencing the same things that happen other places. And being quick to point fingers when you don’t even have all the facts makes you look sad and like an issue of the day person who has no grasp in how large organizations really work.

Well said, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:January was a horrendous month for MCPS. Lack of Covid planning that led to staffing shortages that affected learning and transportation for learning. Lack of testing that fueled a surge in cases after winter break. Votes of no confidence against the interim superintendent by two major unions in MCPS. Now a gun in one high school and a shooting that critically injured a student at another high school all in the same day.

Shouldn’t the Board be having an emergency session? Shouldn’t they be concerned about the lack of leadership in MCPS?

I am stunned by their silence and lack of response.

A great job!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’m the poster and the post isn’t in support of McKnight or the BOE, its just doesn’t automatically blame them for EVERYTHING wrong or bad that happens in a school. Many of ya’ll seem to act like the BOE or McKnight can just wave a wand and anything and everything will be solved. As though they should just do al the things YOU suggest, and everything will be right in the world. Unfortunately here in reality, it doesn’t work that way. They are other people who don’t necessarily agree with your suggestions or have other ideas that have to be taken into consideration. There are staff contracts that need to be taken into consideration. The are local, state, and federal guidelines that need to be taken into consideration. There is normal operations and a host of other issues that have to be taken into consideration and prioritized.

A week ago (and some even now) were up in arms about COVID and schools being open. There was also Substitutes, Teacher Shortages, Bus Driver Shortages, Learn Loss & Tutoring. A few weeks before that the BOE and McKnight were being blamed for a sexual assault. I mean last week, folks here were actually complaining about the amount of communication that occurred during the Macgruder lockdown, as though during that time, it would be someone’s job to sit down and craft e-mails and tweets beyond the initial basics. Not even taking into account, how doing so might actually decrease safety.

Should the school administration, Super, and BOE pay attention when those bad things happen? Sure. Should they plan in advance to try to prevent bad things? Sure. Does any of this mean that bad things will no longer happen? No. What happened was a tragedy that no reasonable parent wants to see happen in a school. But, folks also need to realize that MCPS is not some nirvana bubble exempt from experiencing the same things that happen other places. And being quick to point fingers when you don’t even have all the facts makes you look sad and like an issue of the day person who has no grasp in how large organizations really work.

Well said, PP.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’m the poster and the post isn’t in support of McKnight or the BOE, its just doesn’t automatically blame them for EVERYTHING wrong or bad that happens in a school. Many of ya’ll seem to act like the BOE or McKnight can just wave a wand and anything and everything will be solved. As though they should just do al the things YOU suggest, and everything will be right in the world. Unfortunately here in reality, it doesn’t work that way. They are other people who don’t necessarily agree with your suggestions or have other ideas that have to be taken into consideration. There are staff contracts that need to be taken into consideration. The are local, state, and federal guidelines that need to be taken into consideration. There is normal operations and a host of other issues that have to be taken into consideration and prioritized.

A week ago (and some even now) were up in arms about COVID and schools being open. There was also Substitutes, Teacher Shortages, Bus Driver Shortages, Learn Loss & Tutoring. A few weeks before that the BOE and McKnight were being blamed for a sexual assault. I mean last week, folks here were actually complaining about the amount of communication that occurred during the Macgruder lockdown, as though during that time, it would be someone’s job to sit down and craft e-mails and tweets beyond the initial basics. Not even taking into account, how doing so might actually decrease safety.

Should the school administration, Super, and BOE pay attention when those bad things happen? Sure. Should they plan in advance to try to prevent bad things? Sure. Does any of this mean that bad things will no longer happen? No. What happened was a tragedy that no reasonable parent wants to see happen in a school. But, folks also need to realize that MCPS is not some nirvana bubble exempt from experiencing the same things that happen other places. And being quick to point fingers when you don’t even have all the facts makes you look sad and like an issue of the day person who has no grasp in how large organizations really work.

Well said, PP.

+1000

If anyone is wondering where that $130 per hour is going.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been reading about the SF Board of Education recall election that’s coming up. A lot of reasons are related to similar controversial actions by the MC BOE, such as using lotteries to prioritize equity over achievement. It looks like it’s going to be successful.

Could the outcome affect Board behavior here or is it possible for a similar recall to happen in MoCo?

[Anonymous]

BoE has done enough already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been reading about the SF Board of Education recall election that’s coming up. A lot of reasons are related to similar controversial actions by the MC BOE, such as using lotteries to prioritize equity over achievement. It looks like it’s going to be successful.

Could the outcome affect Board behavior here or is it possible for a similar recall to happen in MoCo?

No. There's no legal mechanism for a recall of county Board of Education members in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been reading about the SF Board of Education recall election that’s coming up. A lot of reasons are related to similar controversial actions by the MC BOE, such as using lotteries to prioritize equity over achievement. It looks like it’s going to be successful.

Could the outcome affect Board behavior here or is it possible for a similar recall to happen in MoCo?

No. There's no legal mechanism for a recall of county Board of Education members in Maryland.

That’s unfortunate. At the very least it influences the zeitgeist. If they cannot get voted out and don’t change, it would put them out of step and more extreme than even San Francisco. That would be a talking point I would hope they would want to avoid.