BoE--We voted for them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

Silvestre is free to join us in lobbying for the BOE to be a full-time position with much better compensation. But as you know, elected officials tend to be subject to scrutiny by the public on their demeanor in public. It's part of the job.

If she didn't want that spotlight, she shouldn't be running for public office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

I appreciate their service but it is 100% about their own political ambitions. I can only respect that so much when they have taken a really important job only to focus entirely on how to get the next job.

DP. I don't know, Silvestre's been there for eight years. Hard to argue that was just a stepping stone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone was hopeful when all incumbents (Lynne Harris, Rebecca Smondrowski and Shebra Evans) were pushed out of the BOE.

But Rita Montoya, Laura Stewart and Natalie Zimmerman have all been absolute flops who have failed to deliver on their campaign promises of increased transparency and accountability for MCPS. They almost immediately became part of the MCPS machine and have been chirpily toeing the party line and nauesatingly spending their time in BOE meetings thanking people for showing up to present or testify.

Agreed- it's disappointing. I thought we would finally see a shift but it's been more of the same.

Because the legacy board members are in the pocket of central office staff and provide no transparency. Maybe someone should make an MPIA request and see what’s really happening behind the scenes and who’s actually pushing for accountability

MCPS blocks MPIA requests with impunity.

You have to immediately copy the state ombudsmen and preface it by saying that you expect MCPS to challenge the request and/or impose unreasonable fees in an attempt thwart your request.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many people are upset with the state of MCPS. From the boundary study, the new regional programs, the lack of resources, the lack of AP classes in certain schools, the lack of safety, and the list goes on. So why don't people do something about it. In East Ramapo, NY, the Haredi Jews won enough seats to change the way the school board operates. I don't agree with the changes that they made, but they wanted change and the majority came out and voted for those that would make the changes. It also required people to stand up and say -- I will run on our platform.

If we're all so upset with the changes MCPS is making, why does no one stand up and say I want change?

Why not me?---I want to get more involved. But honestly, I don't know how. I can attend a board meeting but with pre-vetted questions, it doesn't seem like much gets actually discussed at these sessions but rather it's more a public airing of what is coming. I don't have an education background and I've never been in a classroom as a teacher or even a sub. My resume for BoE member would be lacking in all areas except desire to fix what is broken.

We really need to allow parents to take their kids out of the public schools and use the tuition for private schools. IMO this is the only way things will get fixed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

Silvestre is free to join us in lobbying for the BOE to be a full-time position with much better compensation. But as you know, elected officials tend to be subject to scrutiny by the public on their demeanor in public. It's part of the job.

If she didn't want that spotlight, she shouldn't be running for public office.

They don't need to be full time positions. Board positions are not and its a state decision. Even if they were better compensated, it would still be the same. Silvestre is getting paid via the county for MC and there is no way she's workign 40 hours at MC given her BOE duties. She failed our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many people are upset with the state of MCPS. From the boundary study, the new regional programs, the lack of resources, the lack of AP classes in certain schools, the lack of safety, and the list goes on. So why don't people do something about it. In East Ramapo, NY, the Haredi Jews won enough seats to change the way the school board operates. I don't agree with the changes that they made, but they wanted change and the majority came out and voted for those that would make the changes. It also required people to stand up and say -- I will run on our platform.

If we're all so upset with the changes MCPS is making, why does no one stand up and say I want change?

Why not me?---I want to get more involved. But honestly, I don't know how. I can attend a board meeting but with pre-vetted questions, it doesn't seem like much gets actually discussed at these sessions but rather it's more a public airing of what is coming. I don't have an education background and I've never been in a classroom as a teacher or even a sub. My resume for BoE member would be lacking in all areas except desire to fix what is broken.

We really need to allow parents to take their kids out of the public schools and use the tuition for private schools. IMO this is the only way things will get fixed.

You are wealthy, you can pay for privates. There aren't enough privates and many privates are $40-70K so that only helps the wealthy who can aready pay if they want it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

I appreciate their service but it is 100% about their own political ambitions. I can only respect that so much when they have taken a really important job only to focus entirely on how to get the next job.

DP. I don't know, Silvestre's been there for eight years. Hard to argue that was just a stepping stone.

And, in the last 8 years, since she's been in charge, things have gotten much worse. Its a volunteer job and you know that when you choose to run and accept the position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

I appreciate their service but it is 100% about their own political ambitions. I can only respect that so much when they have taken a really important job only to focus entirely on how to get the next job.

DP. I don't know, Silvestre's been there for eight years. Hard to argue that was just a stepping stone.

No, 8 years is pretty typical for someone with political ambitions. That is very common for the councilmembers and every single one of those clowns is constantly trying to get attention with dumb initiatives. Is it because they care so much about the county? Gmafb

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone was hopeful when all incumbents (Lynne Harris, Rebecca Smondrowski and Shebra Evans) were pushed out of the BOE.

But Rita Montoya, Laura Stewart and Natalie Zimmerman have all been absolute flops who have failed to deliver on their campaign promises of increased transparency and accountability for MCPS. They almost immediately became part of the MCPS machine and have been chirpily toeing the party line and nauesatingly spending their time in BOE meetings thanking people for showing up to present or testify.

Agreed- it's disappointing. I thought we would finally see a shift but it's been more of the same.

Because the legacy board members are in the pocket of central office staff and provide no transparency. Maybe someone should make an MPIA request and see what’s really happening behind the scenes and who’s actually pushing for accountability

MCPS blocks MPIA requests with impunity.

You have to immediately copy the state ombudsmen and preface it by saying that you expect MCPS to challenge the request and/or impose unreasonable fees in an attempt thwart your request.

Been there, done that. The ombudsmen do nothing. There is no consequence for MCPS stonewalling MPIA requests. I've tried.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

Silvestre is free to join us in lobbying for the BOE to be a full-time position with much better compensation. But as you know, elected officials tend to be subject to scrutiny by the public on their demeanor in public. It's part of the job.

If she didn't want that spotlight, she shouldn't be running for public office.

They don't need to be full time positions. Board positions are not and its a state decision. Even if they were better compensated, it would still be the same. Silvestre is getting paid via the county for MC and there is no way she's workign 40 hours at MC given her BOE duties. She failed our kids.

I disagree. Oversight of a school system this size is not in any way a part-time position. We've tried that model for years and look at what it's gotten us.

You know the old saying about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

Silvestre is free to join us in lobbying for the BOE to be a full-time position with much better compensation. But as you know, elected officials tend to be subject to scrutiny by the public on their demeanor in public. It's part of the job.

If she didn't want that spotlight, she shouldn't be running for public office.

They don't need to be full time positions. Board positions are not and its a state decision. Even if they were better compensated, it would still be the same. Silvestre is getting paid via the county for MC and there is no way she's workign 40 hours at MC given her BOE duties. She failed our kids.

I disagree. Oversight of a school system this size is not in any way a part-time position. We've tried that model for years and look at what it's gotten us.

You know the old saying about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results....

They don't provide oversight. They just listen to MCPS nonsense and agree. They don't even read or investigate anything. We don't need to take funds meant for the school to pay for them. The state determines the stipend, and they agreed to it. Paying more isn't going to lead to a better MCPS. They created this mess. MCPS is failing unders their leadership. You want to financially reward them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

Silvestre is free to join us in lobbying for the BOE to be a full-time position with much better compensation. But as you know, elected officials tend to be subject to scrutiny by the public on their demeanor in public. It's part of the job.

If she didn't want that spotlight, she shouldn't be running for public office.

They don't need to be full time positions. Board positions are not and its a state decision. Even if they were better compensated, it would still be the same. Silvestre is getting paid via the county for MC and there is no way she's workign 40 hours at MC given her BOE duties. She failed our kids.

I disagree. Oversight of a school system this size is not in any way a part-time position. We've tried that model for years and look at what it's gotten us.

You know the old saying about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results....

They don't provide oversight. They just listen to MCPS nonsense and agree. They don't even read or investigate anything. We don't need to take funds meant for the school to pay for them. The state determines the stipend, and they agreed to it. Paying more isn't going to lead to a better MCPS. They created this mess. MCPS is failing unders their leadership. You want to financially reward them?

I don’t understand. I 100% agree that the BOE does not currently provide oversight. Hence why I’m advocating better compensation and full-time status to incentivize them to commit to the role they are structurally obligated to fulfill.

If you don’t want to pay them more and make the job full-time, what’s your idea to get the BOE to fulfill its oversight responsibilities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

Silvestre is free to join us in lobbying for the BOE to be a full-time position with much better compensation. But as you know, elected officials tend to be subject to scrutiny by the public on their demeanor in public. It's part of the job.

If she didn't want that spotlight, she shouldn't be running for public office.

They don't need to be full time positions. Board positions are not and its a state decision. Even if they were better compensated, it would still be the same. Silvestre is getting paid via the county for MC and there is no way she's workign 40 hours at MC given her BOE duties. She failed our kids.

I disagree. Oversight of a school system this size is not in any way a part-time position. We've tried that model for years and look at what it's gotten us.

You know the old saying about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results....

Paying people is not going to provide better oversight. They are two diffent issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about Silvestre? She looks bored and unconcerned about most issues. Can't imagine why she is running for county council because she doesn't care enough to meaningfully participate in the BOE.

Silvestre does come off as incredibly cold and distant.

Gosh--who wouldn't want to be a BOE member and have MCPS parents write mean things about your personality while you slave away for $25K a year. /s

Silvestre is free to join us in lobbying for the BOE to be a full-time position with much better compensation. But as you know, elected officials tend to be subject to scrutiny by the public on their demeanor in public. It's part of the job.

If she didn't want that spotlight, she shouldn't be running for public office.

They don't need to be full time positions. Board positions are not and its a state decision. Even if they were better compensated, it would still be the same. Silvestre is getting paid via the county for MC and there is no way she's workign 40 hours at MC given her BOE duties. She failed our kids.

I disagree. Oversight of a school system this size is not in any way a part-time position. We've tried that model for years and look at what it's gotten us.

You know the old saying about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results....

They don't provide oversight. They just listen to MCPS nonsense and agree. They don't even read or investigate anything. We don't need to take funds meant for the school to pay for them. The state determines the stipend, and they agreed to it. Paying more isn't going to lead to a better MCPS. They created this mess. MCPS is failing unders their leadership. You want to financially reward them?

I don’t understand. I 100% agree that the BOE does not currently provide oversight. Hence why I’m advocating better compensation and full-time status to incentivize them to commit to the role they are structurally obligated to fulfill.

If you don’t want to pay them more and make the job full-time, what’s your idea to get the BOE to fulfill its oversight responsibilities?

Paying them more isn't going to give a better outcome. You need to fire those not performing or who have conflicts of interest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many people are upset with the state of MCPS. From the boundary study, the new regional programs, the lack of resources, the lack of AP classes in certain schools, the lack of safety, and the list goes on. So why don't people do something about it. In East Ramapo, NY, the Haredi Jews won enough seats to change the way the school board operates. I don't agree with the changes that they made, but they wanted change and the majority came out and voted for those that would make the changes. It also required people to stand up and say -- I will run on our platform.

If we're all so upset with the changes MCPS is making, why does no one stand up and say I want change?

Why not me?---I want to get more involved. But honestly, I don't know how. I can attend a board meeting but with pre-vetted questions, it doesn't seem like much gets actually discussed at these sessions but rather it's more a public airing of what is coming. I don't have an education background and I've never been in a classroom as a teacher or even a sub. My resume for BoE member would be lacking in all areas except desire to fix what is broken.

We really need to allow parents to take their kids out of the public schools and use the tuition for private schools. IMO this is the only way things will get fixed.

You are wealthy, you can pay for privates. There aren't enough privates and many privates are $40-70K so that only helps the wealthy who can aready pay if they want it.

We should get vouchers do defray costs to make it more accessible.