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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Steve Austin is someone you are considering voting for check out his social media. Some of his followers are quite intense and believe politics ie bringing very conservative views back into schools is a good thing.

Personally I will not vote for someone who can not explain their previous experience and how they are right for the job. I get he's running on a neighborhood school platform, but he still should be able to do a job interview with out flying off the handle, which his social media suggests.

I am actually voting for Steve Austin because I believe it important for those who don't trust the BOE to have a member on the Board. And it would be good for Austin to have to work on the nitty gritty of being a Board member. As Michael Corleone said, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

That might be a good idea. Let him experience what it feels like to be yelled at by parents, and see how he responds. It will be entertaining.

I won't find it entertaining. I think it will be awful. This is real life, not Netflix.

I think it important to have diversity of opinion on the BOE. We want to heal the divisons in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Diversity, yes. Economic diversity, no.

Demographics. Which includes the socioeconomic composition of the student population. Just ask those longtime residents of Horizon Hill who still haven't gotten over their reassignment from Wootton to Richard Montgomery in 1987.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Steve Austin is someone you are considering voting for check out his social media. Some of his followers are quite intense and believe politics ie bringing very conservative views back into schools is a good thing.

Personally I will not vote for someone who can not explain their previous experience and how they are right for the job. I get he's running on a neighborhood school platform, but he still should be able to do a job interview with out flying off the handle, which his social media suggests.

I am actually voting for Steve Austin because I believe it important for those who don't trust the BOE to have a member on the Board. And it would be good for Austin to have to work on the nitty gritty of being a Board member. As Michael Corleone said, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

That might be a good idea. Let him experience what it feels like to be yelled at by parents, and see how he responds. It will be entertaining.

I won't find it entertaining. I think it will be awful. This is real life, not Netflix.

I think it important to have diversity of opinion on the BOE. We want to heal the divisons in MCPS.

This "diversity of opinion" thing is the Republican talking point in Montgomery County, and I find it bizarre. As though there should be affirmative action in elective office for Republicans, on the basis of them being Republicans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Diversity, yes. Economic diversity, no.

Demographics. Which includes the socioeconomic composition of the student population. Just ask those longtime residents of Horizon Hill who still haven't gotten over their reassignment from Wootton to Richard Montgomery in 1987.

Citation? The term economic diversity, and its current definition, didn’t exist back then.

Today it seems like the BOE is elevating economic diversity over the other factors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Diversity, yes. Economic diversity, no.

Demographics. Which includes the socioeconomic composition of the student population. Just ask those longtime residents of Horizon Hill who still haven't gotten over their reassignment from Wootton to Richard Montgomery in 1987.

Citation? The term economic diversity, and its current definition, didn’t exist back then.

Today it seems like the BOE is elevating economic diversity over the other factors.

Nope.. it just seems that way to people who are not looking at facts but rather fear mongering.

If they were elevating diversity above all other factors, then they and Smith would've picked option 4 in the upcounty boundary changes, which had diversity as the #1 factor. But they didn't choose that option. Why? Because of proximity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Diversity, yes. Economic diversity, no.

Demographics. Which includes the socioeconomic composition of the student population. Just ask those longtime residents of Horizon Hill who still haven't gotten over their reassignment from Wootton to Richard Montgomery in 1987.

Citation? The term economic diversity, and its current definition, didn’t exist back then.

Today it seems like the BOE is elevating economic diversity over the other factors.

There are four factors in the MCPS policy on educational facilities planning:

a. demographic characteristics of the student population
b. geography
c. stability of school assignments over time
d. facility utilization

These four factors have been in the MCPS policy for decades.

Here's a Washington Post piece about the Horizon Hill decision in 1987: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1987/06/05/busing-ruling-saddens-ritchie-park-parents/cc3b67e6-b596-4247-ba3d-b4c076d37de8/

It should seem very familiar. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Steve Austin is someone you are considering voting for check out his social media. Some of his followers are quite intense and believe politics ie bringing very conservative views back into schools is a good thing.

Personally I will not vote for someone who can not explain their previous experience and how they are right for the job. I get he's running on a neighborhood school platform, but he still should be able to do a job interview with out flying off the handle, which his social media suggests.

I am actually voting for Steve Austin because I believe it important for those who don't trust the BOE to have a member on the Board. And it would be good for Austin to have to work on the nitty gritty of being a Board member. As Michael Corleone said, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

That might be a good idea. Let him experience what it feels like to be yelled at by parents, and see how he responds. It will be entertaining.

I won't find it entertaining. I think it will be awful. This is real life, not Netflix.

I think it important to have diversity of opinion on the BOE. We want to heal the divisons in MCPS.

This "diversity of opinion" thing is the Republican talking point in Montgomery County, and I find it bizarre. As though there should be affirmative action in elective office for Republicans, on the basis of them being Republicans.

Totally agree. Diversity of backgrounds and experiences to make sure people are represented, yes. Diversity of opinions? Hell, no. I also don't want a creationist on the board for "opinion diversity." The point of elections is to make sure the elected represent the positions of the electors. If Austin's opinions are popular enough that a plurality of people agree with him, great, he should be elected. But if not, we shouldn't give him the spot to make sure an opinion we disagree with is represented. It's on him to convince people that he's right.

And ffs, hasn't Trump shown us that the whole "anti-establishment! shake things up! burn it down!" mentality is not a healthy one? Given that the Board is about to face new and unprecedented challenges in responding to COVID-19, why on earth would "no experience/more chaos" be a plus?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Steve Austin is someone you are considering voting for check out his social media. Some of his followers are quite intense and believe politics ie bringing very conservative views back into schools is a good thing.

Personally I will not vote for someone who can not explain their previous experience and how they are right for the job. I get he's running on a neighborhood school platform, but he still should be able to do a job interview with out flying off the handle, which his social media suggests.

I am actually voting for Steve Austin because I believe it important for those who don't trust the BOE to have a member on the Board. And it would be good for Austin to have to work on the nitty gritty of being a Board member. As Michael Corleone said, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

That might be a good idea. Let him experience what it feels like to be yelled at by parents, and see how he responds. It will be entertaining.

I won't find it entertaining. I think it will be awful. This is real life, not Netflix.

I think it important to have diversity of opinion on the BOE. We want to heal the divisons in MCPS.

This "diversity of opinion" thing is the Republican talking point in Montgomery County, and I find it bizarre. As though there should be affirmative action in elective office for Republicans, on the basis of them being Republicans.

Totally agree. Diversity of backgrounds and experiences to make sure people are represented, yes. Diversity of opinions? Hell, no. I also don't want a creationist on the board for "opinion diversity." The point of elections is to make sure the elected represent the positions of the electors. If Austin's opinions are popular enough that a plurality of people agree with him, great, he should be elected. But if not, we shouldn't give him the spot to make sure an opinion we disagree with is represented. It's on him to convince people that he's right.

And ffs, hasn't Trump shown us that the whole "anti-establishment! shake things up! burn it down!" mentality is not a healthy one? Given that the Board is about to face new and unprecedented challenges in responding to COVID-19, why on earth would "no experience/more chaos" be a plus?!

My Democratic cousins in Kansas also talk about the need for diversity of opinion. Republicans are the majority in Kansas but they try to completely shut out Democrats out of any decision making.

I agree it was crazy to elect an inexperienced rabble rouser like Donald Trump as President of the United States. But that hardly compares to being one of eight members on the BOE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My Democratic cousins in Kansas also talk about the need for diversity of opinion. Republicans are the majority in Kansas but they try to completely shut out Democrats out of any decision making.

I agree it was crazy to elect an inexperienced rabble rouser like Donald Trump as President of the United States. But that hardly compares to being one of eight members on the BOE.

To go back to the PP's question: why on earth would "no experience/more chaos" be a plus?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If Steve Austin is someone you are considering voting for check out his social media. Some of his followers are quite intense and believe politics ie bringing very conservative views back into schools is a good thing.

Personally I will not vote for someone who can not explain their previous experience and how they are right for the job. I get he's running on a neighborhood school platform, but he still should be able to do a job interview with out flying off the handle, which his social media suggests.

I am actually voting for Steve Austin because I believe it important for those who don't trust the BOE to have a member on the Board. And it would be good for Austin to have to work on the nitty gritty of being a Board member. As Michael Corleone said, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

That might be a good idea. Let him experience what it feels like to be yelled at by parents, and see how he responds. It will be entertaining.

I won't find it entertaining. I think it will be awful. This is real life, not Netflix.

I think it important to have diversity of opinion on the BOE. We want to heal the divisons in MCPS.

This "diversity of opinion" thing is the Republican talking point in Montgomery County, and I find it bizarre. As though there should be affirmative action in elective office for Republicans, on the basis of them being Republicans.

Totally agree. Diversity of backgrounds and experiences to make sure people are represented, yes. Diversity of opinions? Hell, no. I also don't want a creationist on the board for "opinion diversity." The point of elections is to make sure the elected represent the positions of the electors. If Austin's opinions are popular enough that a plurality of people agree with him, great, he should be elected. But if not, we shouldn't give him the spot to make sure an opinion we disagree with is represented. It's on him to convince people that he's right.

And ffs, hasn't Trump shown us that the whole "anti-establishment! shake things up! burn it down!" mentality is not a healthy one? Given that the Board is about to face new and unprecedented challenges in responding to COVID-19, why on earth would "no experience/more chaos" be a plus?!

My Democratic cousins in Kansas also talk about the need for diversity of opinion. Republicans are the majority in Kansas but they try to completely shut out Democrats out of any decision making.

I agree it was crazy to elect an inexperienced rabble rouser like Donald Trump as President of the United States. But that hardly compares to being one of eight members on the BOE.

That's gerrymandering. When a system is rigged specifically to prevent people from expressing their opinion through their vote, the entire process is poisoned.

[Anonymous]

It’s kind of amazing that Austin can be so thin skinned and yet, not transparent. Must be a magic trick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My Democratic cousins in Kansas also talk about the need for diversity of opinion. Republicans are the majority in Kansas but they try to completely shut out Democrats out of any decision making.

I agree it was crazy to elect an inexperienced rabble rouser like Donald Trump as President of the United States. But that hardly compares to being one of eight members on the BOE.

To go back to the PP's question: why on earth would "no experience/more chaos" be a plus?

First of all, I don't know anyone who wants more chaos. But I can argue to vote for a MCPS parent like Stephen Austin, even if he has no previous experience on the BOE.

Right now there is a large minority of parents who don't trust the BOE, who think that they try to make changes to policy outside of public monitoring, and that they are not transparent as to how they make their decisions. Stephen Austin has spent a lot of time monitoring the policy and financial decisions of the BOE. As a Board member he can help make the BOE more transparent, if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My Democratic cousins in Kansas also talk about the need for diversity of opinion. Republicans are the majority in Kansas but they try to completely shut out Democrats out of any decision making.

I agree it was crazy to elect an inexperienced rabble rouser like Donald Trump as President of the United States. But that hardly compares to being one of eight members on the BOE.

To go back to the PP's question: why on earth would "no experience/more chaos" be a plus?

First of all, I don't know anyone who wants more chaos. But I can argue to vote for a MCPS parent like Stephen Austin, even if he has no previous experience on the BOE.

Right now there is a large minority of parents who don't trust the BOE, who think that they try to make changes to policy outside of public monitoring, and that they are not transparent as to how they make their decisions. Stephen Austin has spent a lot of time monitoring the policy and financial decisions of the BOE. As a Board member he can help make the BOE more transparent, if needed.

No he hasn't. He started last November.

And while he COULD help make the BoE more transparent, there isn't much indication from his actions so far that he would actually do so.

If Steve Austin gets elected, there will be more chaos. That might even be a feature, not a bug, for some of his supporters. He might find it uncomfortable to be on the side of the table that gets yelled at, though, instead of the side of the table that yells.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My Democratic cousins in Kansas also talk about the need for diversity of opinion. Republicans are the majority in Kansas but they try to completely shut out Democrats out of any decision making.

I agree it was crazy to elect an inexperienced rabble rouser like Donald Trump as President of the United States. But that hardly compares to being one of eight members on the BOE.

To go back to the PP's question: why on earth would "no experience/more chaos" be a plus?

First of all, I don't know anyone who wants more chaos. But I can argue to vote for a MCPS parent like Stephen Austin, even if he has no previous experience on the BOE.

Right now there is a large minority of parents who don't trust the BOE, who think that they try to make changes to policy outside of public monitoring, and that they are not transparent as to how they make their decisions. Stephen Austin has spent a lot of time monitoring the policy and financial decisions of the BOE. As a Board member he can help make the BOE more transparent, if needed.

Sunil Dasgupta is also advocating for more transparency and open access. No one running for the at large seat is an incumbent, so being upset about what the current BoE is doing is irrelevant - all candidates are outsiders and don't have responsibility for current Board decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My Democratic cousins in Kansas also talk about the need for diversity of opinion. Republicans are the majority in Kansas but they try to completely shut out Democrats out of any decision making.

I agree it was crazy to elect an inexperienced rabble rouser like Donald Trump as President of the United States. But that hardly compares to being one of eight members on the BOE.

To go back to the PP's question: why on earth would "no experience/more chaos" be a plus?

First of all, I don't know anyone who wants more chaos. But I can argue to vote for a MCPS parent like Stephen Austin, even if he has no previous experience on the BOE.

Right now there is a large minority of parents who don't trust the BOE, who think that they try to make changes to policy outside of public monitoring, and that they are not transparent as to how they make their decisions. Stephen Austin has spent a lot of time monitoring the policy and financial decisions of the BOE. As a Board member he can help make the BOE more transparent, if needed.

Sunil Dasgupta is also advocating for more transparency and open access. No one running for the at large seat is an incumbent, so being upset about what the current BoE is doing is irrelevant - all candidates are outsiders and don't have responsibility for current Board decisions.

Nothing says "outsider" like an endorsement from the teacher's union!