Support the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) from Budget Cuts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was reading through the report and noticed that the FARMS rate for MVA students is 43.1%. Why is the FARMS rate so high for MVA students? My own experience in working with low income families, is that these are the kids that most need to be in in-person school. Poverty is already isolating for children, it is counterproductive to isolate them more.

It's not that much higher than schools in MCPS.

But it's naturally going to be a little higher. MVA families are much more likely to be single-income families. The FARMs income limit doesn't change between dual-income families and those with a stay-at-home parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And where should the money come from in the cut budget?

Put out a few contracts for competitive bids. Do some comparison shopping. Save $5M.

Which ones? Be specific.

All the ones that are extensions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And where should the money come from in the cut budget?

Put out a few contracts for competitive bids. Do some comparison shopping. Save $5M.

Which ones? Be specific.

All the ones that are extensions.

lol. Good luck saving money on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And where should the money come from in the cut budget?

Put out a few contracts for competitive bids. Do some comparison shopping. Save $5M.

Which ones? Be specific.

All the ones that are extensions.

lol. Good luck saving money on that.

Because?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was reading through the report and noticed that the FARMS rate for MVA students is 43.1%. Why is the FARMS rate so high for MVA students? My own experience in working with low income families, is that these are the kids that most need to be in in-person school. Poverty is already isolating for children, it is counterproductive to isolate them more.

I think it depends on the school and the home environment Virtual school in structured home setting is a far better alternative than a chaotic school with out of control students, fights, revolving door of teachers, that many FARM students have to endure.

[Anonymous]

I couldn’t tune into the meeting yesterday-did MCPS announce the replacement virtual program like someone on here was claiming?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t tune into the meeting yesterday-did MCPS announce the replacement virtual program like someone on here was claiming?

No one claimed anything was a replacement.

[Anonymous]

I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t tune into the meeting yesterday-did MCPS announce the replacement virtual program like someone on here was claiming?

No one claimed anything was a replacement.

I apologize for the misquote- this was said a few pages back: “They are buying a virtual education program tomorrow. ”

Was there an announce t that they are doing this and have they selected the program? Sorry, I was at doctors appointments and could not listen to the meeting myself. Thank you in advance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

I think it’s really tough that some of the most vocal virtual champions went down this path. Many of the families who would most benefit from a permanent virtual program are least able to advocate for it because they’re dealing with significant medical issues. This is one of the few times in my life that I have Florida envy because they have a comprehensive virtual program and families I know who have used it have positive things to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I couldn’t tune into the meeting yesterday-did MCPS announce the replacement virtual program like someone on here was claiming?

No one claimed anything was a replacement.

I apologize for the misquote- this was said a few pages back: “They are buying a virtual education program tomorrow. ”

Was there an announce t that they are doing this and have they selected the program? Sorry, I was at doctors appointments and could not listen to the meeting myself. Thank you in advance.

No - not that I heard. There was testimony about keeping the virtual accelerated math program that allows kids in schools that don't have enough accelerated kids to justify a dedicated class/teacher to take accelerated math online. Seemed like a really good idea, but not sure how that shook out in the budget ultimately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

[Anonymous]

I think Smondrowski said she wanted to ask the council for a a special appropriation to keep virtual going. Not sure which other BOE members support that tho.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Smondrowski said she wanted to ask the council for a a special appropriation to keep virtual going. Not sure which other BOE members support that tho.

Based on the reaction of the others on the BOE, who were quick to point out that this had never been discussed within the BOE and that MVA families shouldn't hold out any hope that this would happen or be successful, it sounds like it would be hard to get the BOE to vote to approve a supplemental request and even harder (nearly impossible it seems) for the request to be approved by the county council.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was talking to my husband about this and about my mixed feelings. There are families who really need a virtual program. Their children have severe physical disabilities or severe learning disabilities. However, some of the reasons I saw other parents give were pure baloney. They don’t want to be bullied (news flash, no parent wants that!), they are afraid of school shootings, covid, fashion(!), and other focus reasons that don’t justify keeping the program open.

+1 It was too bad for those families that really needed the MVA for medical reasons that they got lumped in with the parents who were quoted in the news media as needing the MVA because their kids would be too distracted by fashion if they went to in-person schools. Those students with real medical issues saw a big improvement in their educational experience over what the county traditionally provided (IIS) but I think they were lost in the noise of the families who were pushing the MVA because their kids were shy, didn't like social interaction, etc.

My hope is that those families with the severe medical issues get some type of state assistance so they are children can continue with an education. The boy with the disabilities in the wheelchair comes to mind. I don’t want those kids to be forgotten in all of this nonsense.