Why do people want to fire the principal of B-CC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do teachers and staff want a new principal?

Some might, most don’t. He has been somewhat decent with the teachers and staff— although some would say otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do teachers and staff want a new principal?

Some might, most don’t. He has been somewhat decent with the teachers and staff— although some would say otherwise.

What does the staff climate data say about B-CC? That would be telling.

[Anonymous]

Did no one see the response from B-CC parents calling for Mooney's ouster?

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/03/22/letter-to-the-editor-b-cc-high-leadership-improve-safety/

Kudos to teacher David Lopilato for sharing his thoughts in Bethesda Today about how to improve safety at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, beginning with the basic problems of truancy and chronic absenteeism. These matters are vital to fix if we expect the next generation to reach adulthood with the skills they need to succeed.

We take a slightly different view from Mr. Lopilato, however, of whether a change of administration would create a safer atmosphere at B-CC. Parents and PTSA leaders have been asking the same questions across three years and six lockdowns with no answers: Are students with safety infractions receiving effective support and intervention? Three students are facing charges following last month’s lockdowns alone. Are proper procedures being followed during and after lockdowns in accordance with the 2018 Maryland Safe to Learn Act? These questions remain unaddressed.

Nor is there a hands-on approach to our school community by the current administration. A B-CC student attended the March 4 safety meeting called by County Councilmember Andrew Friedson and told those assembled about how invisible B-CC’s leadership is; the sentiment was echoed knowingly throughout the school auditorium. There has long been a lack of engaged, committed, transparent leadership at the school, which is contributing to the deteriorating safety situation.

Erica Brown and Michelle High both live in Chevy Chase and are parents of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School students.

[Anonymous]

16:20 where would one have seen the response??

[Anonymous]

Who's waiting to take this dude's spot? Families should know before they continue pushing for new leadership. Is BCC or MCPS reimbursing students and teachers-staff who have had to get counseling after the trauma that was inflicted on the community over the last several years? Moran, Taylor, Cram three white dudes what do you have to say and more importantly what do you plan to DO?

[Anonymous]

Did Mooney settle with former BCC teacher who was fired for something or another a few years ago?

[Anonymous]

What does Mooney say about metal detectors at the high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Here is my personal assessment: 80% of what people are upset about are things totally outside of his control. He does not make county-wide or federal policy, B-CC objectively has a complicated student mix with very wealthy families and less wealthy families that have different needs and expectations, it’s geographic location in downtown Bethesda creates some unique issues after sporting events, he can’t control SWAT-ing calls from out of state, etc.

And, it takes a very special person to be excellent at managing the students and parents of a school like that. Dr. Mooney is a kind, likeable person who cares deeply about that school, and I think some parents believe that school would benefit from more of an iron fist approach, which just doesn’t seem to be his personal style.

Other than the location in downtown Bethesda, what makes it so different from Blair which seems to have less of these problems. Similar mix of kids I think.

Hardly similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

Here is my personal assessment: 80% of what people are upset about are things totally outside of his control. He does not make county-wide or federal policy, B-CC objectively has a complicated student mix with very wealthy families and less wealthy families that have different needs and expectations, it’s geographic location in downtown Bethesda creates some unique issues after sporting events, he can’t control SWAT-ing calls from out of state, etc.

And, it takes a very special person to be excellent at managing the students and parents of a school like that. Dr. Mooney is a kind, likeable person who cares deeply about that school, and I think some parents believe that school would benefit from more of an iron fist approach, which just doesn’t seem to be his personal style.

Other than the location in downtown Bethesda, what makes it so different from Blair which seems to have less of these problems. Similar mix of kids I think.

There is a lot more wealth from Bethesda and chevy chase at BCC than Blair.

That's not a complete explanation, though, unless it is the wealthy kids creating most of the problems at B-CC. I do think B-CC's location and open campus are a blessing and a curse. It creates a fun urban environment and puts kids close to internships and public transportation. On the other hand, it creates a more fluid situation on and around campus that can be harder to monitor.

Yes, BCC is more urban and more accessible from outsiders in town and more attractive to students walking off campus to mix with them.
Blair is a mile from the subway.

This is true, but I do think administration matters. I've had kids at both B-CC and Blair, and one significant difference is that Blair families are more willing to accept that the rules apply to everyone. This allows the administration to have better enforcement of the rules because you don't have wealthy parents coming out of the woodwork every time Larlo gets lunch detention for tardiness.

My experience with B-CC is that the wealthy families want better rules enforcement, but only for "those" kids. Because the administration cannot and should not apply the rules only to low-income kids, they end up enforcing fewer rules in general to avoid parent backlash.

Smaller, community-based HSs would solve this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does Mooney say about metal detectors at the high school?

This is the issue, Dr Mooney cannot make this decision for BCC. The vast majority of what people want are things he simply cannot provide. Parents want details about disciplinary action, not permitted under either MCPS or federal policy. They want kids with disciplinary records expelled from the school district? Not permitted because kids have educational rights. They want kids to go to specialized schools for troubled students? Dr Mooney doesn’t decide if the MCPS budget includes a school of this type.

If there are legitimate concerns that are within his power he does seem to address them, but even some of those need to wait until they get MCPS funds for upgrades.

It might be better if he was a squeakier wheel on some of these things, but he is not the decision maker on whether there is an SRO in the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who's waiting to take this dude's spot? Families should know before they continue pushing for new leadership. Is BCC or MCPS reimbursing students and teachers-staff who have had to get counseling after the trauma that was inflicted on the community over the last several years? Moran, Taylor, Cram three white dudes what do you have to say and more importantly what do you plan to DO?

[phone]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does Mooney say about metal detectors at the high school?

This is the issue, Dr Mooney cannot make this decision for BCC. The vast majority of what people want are things he simply cannot provide. Parents want details about disciplinary action, not permitted under either MCPS or federal policy. They want kids with disciplinary records expelled from the school district? Not permitted because kids have educational rights. They want kids to go to specialized schools for troubled students? Dr Mooney doesn’t decide if the MCPS budget includes a school of this type.

If there are legitimate concerns that are within his power he does seem to address them, but even some of those need to wait until they get MCPS funds for upgrades.

It might be better if he was a squeakier wheel on some of these things, but he is not the decision maker on whether there is an SRO in the school.

BCC parent here. The PP is right. I'm not sure why the more vocal parents don't understand this. If they were launching at the district, I'd be marching right there behind them and so would lots of other parents, including many who can't afford to live in Bethesda. But making Mooney the scapegoat is easier I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does Mooney say about metal detectors at the high school?

This is the issue, Dr Mooney cannot make this decision for BCC. The vast majority of what people want are things he simply cannot provide. Parents want details about disciplinary action, not permitted under either MCPS or federal policy. They want kids with disciplinary records expelled from the school district? Not permitted because kids have educational rights. They want kids to go to specialized schools for troubled students? Dr Mooney doesn’t decide if the MCPS budget includes a school of this type.

If there are legitimate concerns that are within his power he does seem to address them, but even some of those need to wait until they get MCPS funds for upgrades.

It might be better if he was a squeakier wheel on some of these things, but he is not the decision maker on whether there is an SRO in the school.

BCC parent here. The PP is right. I'm not sure why the more vocal parents don't understand this. If they were launching at the district, I'd be marching right there behind them and so would lots of other parents, including many who can't afford to live in Bethesda. But making Mooney the scapegoat is easier I guess.

While it's true that some of the issues that plague B-CC are above his control, it's also true that Mooney has lied, tolerated misbehavior and abuse and been unresponsive when issues are brought directly for him to address.

[Anonymous]

Then who is the prospectice Principal who can carry the community through boundary studies + community safety & security?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then who is the prospectice Principal who can carry the community through boundary studies + community safety & security?

As a PP said, the pipeline of prospective principals isn't that great.

Most - but not all - of the staff I know, in different schools, got a downgrade when a new principal came on board during the past few years.