Got the MD Board of Education absentee ballot today. Who will be least likely to raise taxes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know, and I really don't care. What I care about is that my son be able to attend our local schools, not some schools in a different part of the country because of some people's ideas about social engineering. I voted for Austin (close call with Guan) and Solomon.

34% of MCPS students, right now, don't attend their closest schools.

Plenty of people who say they support Austin/"neighborhood schools" could get rezoned to schools that are closer, but they don't want that.

NP. Why do a third of MCPS students not attend the school closest to them?

Mostly because there hasn't been a system-wide adjustments of school boundaries since the wave of school closings since the 1980s. So there are lots of school boundaries like these:

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/SevenLocksES.pdf
http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/CabinJohnMS.pdf

What does "neighborhood school" even mean, with school boundaries like that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know, and I really don't care. What I care about is that my son be able to attend our local schools, not some schools in a different part of the country because of some people's ideas about social engineering. I voted for Austin (close call with Guan) and Solomon.

34% of MCPS students, right now, don't attend their closest schools.

Plenty of people who say they support Austin/"neighborhood schools" could get rezoned to schools that are closer, but they don't want that.

NP. Why do a third of MCPS students not attend the school closest to them?

Mostly because there hasn't been a system-wide adjustments of school boundaries since the wave of school closings since the 1980s. So there are lots of school boundaries like these:

http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/SevenLocksES.pdf
http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ServiceAreaMaps/CabinJohnMS.pdf

What does "neighborhood school" even mean, with school boundaries like that?

Right? I'm upset that MCPS hasn't done a boundary study years ago. Boundaries should have been redrawn several years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the love and hate is for Austin. No one says anything about any of the other candidates. He's not supported by the "establishment" (teacher's union, Washington Post) so this must really be bothering some people that an "outsider" candidate is actually drawing the interest of the voters!

People are saying things about several of the other candidates. Pay closer attention.

Also, speaking for myself - no, Austin's candidacy isn't bothering me. I'm a big believer in the Run For Something idea. It's his positions, his statements, and his actions as a candidate that bother me.

^^^also, since this "outsider" candidate thing comes up often: No, a white man who lives in Bethesda and is employed in the finance industry, and whose candidacy is explicitly based on defending the status quo, is not an outsider candidate.

What a racist comment to make. What does his race have to do with this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the love and hate is for Austin. No one says anything about any of the other candidates. He's not supported by the "establishment" (teacher's union, Washington Post) so this must really be bothering some people that an "outsider" candidate is actually drawing the interest of the voters!

People are saying things about several of the other candidates. Pay closer attention.

Also, speaking for myself - no, Austin's candidacy isn't bothering me. I'm a big believer in the Run For Something idea. It's his positions, his statements, and his actions as a candidate that bother me.

^^^also, since this "outsider" candidate thing comes up often: No, a white man who lives in Bethesda and is employed in the finance industry, and whose candidacy is explicitly based on defending the status quo, is not an outsider candidate.

What a racist comment to make. What does his race have to do with this?

+1
What a strange comment. Basically, all white people are the same. Right now the BOE is nearly all African American while AA's make up a small part of the population of the county. There should be more white, Asian, and Hispanics on there and fewer AA's. It's not a diverse group and unrepresentative of the county population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the love and hate is for Austin. No one says anything about any of the other candidates. He's not supported by the "establishment" (teacher's union, Washington Post) so this must really be bothering some people that an "outsider" candidate is actually drawing the interest of the voters!

People are saying things about several of the other candidates. Pay closer attention.

Also, speaking for myself - no, Austin's candidacy isn't bothering me. I'm a big believer in the Run For Something idea. It's his positions, his statements, and his actions as a candidate that bother me.

^^^also, since this "outsider" candidate thing comes up often: No, a white man who lives in Bethesda and is employed in the finance industry, and whose candidacy is explicitly based on defending the status quo, is not an outsider candidate.

What a racist comment to make. What does his race have to do with this?

+1
What a strange comment. Basically, all white people are the same. Right now the BOE is nearly all African American while AA's make up a small part of the population of the county. There should be more white, Asian, and Hispanics on there and fewer AA's. It's not a diverse group and unrepresentative of the county population.

Affirmative action for affluent white people who live in Bethesda!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the love and hate is for Austin. No one says anything about any of the other candidates. He's not supported by the "establishment" (teacher's union, Washington Post) so this must really be bothering some people that an "outsider" candidate is actually drawing the interest of the voters!

People are saying things about several of the other candidates. Pay closer attention.

Also, speaking for myself - no, Austin's candidacy isn't bothering me. I'm a big believer in the Run For Something idea. It's his positions, his statements, and his actions as a candidate that bother me.

^^^also, since this "outsider" candidate thing comes up often: No, a white man who lives in Bethesda and is employed in the finance industry, and whose candidacy is explicitly based on defending the status quo, is not an outsider candidate.

The fact that his race matters to you motivates me more to vote for Austin. You couldn't have just said a man who lives in Bethesda who works in finance...yadda yadda. Like his race is somehow pertinent?

A large part of the dispute about the boundary analysis is the question: how should the demographics of the student body affect school boundaries and school boundary change decisions?

Race is baked into this part of the dispute.

And Steve Austin got involved in the dispute about the boundary analysis specifically because he thought that the demographics of the student body should NOT affect school boundaries or school boundary change decisions.

So yeah, his race is pertinent.

His wife is Asian and he has bi-racial children, so does he represent 2 races or just his racial category?

As for - "And Steve Austin got involved in the dispute about the boundary analysis specifically because he thought that the demographics of the student body should NOT affect school boundaries or school boundary change decisions." School boundaries should be based up on geography, population and proximity. Montgomery County is extremely diverse and changes constantly. Trying to implement some ideal demographically balanced school system would be nothing more than a never ending game of whack-a-mole. A game where MCPS would be constantly behind.

Let's be real.. in education, Asian Americans are not considered urm, and Austin supporters include many Asian Americans because many are zoned for W cluster and also don't want to get rezoned, even though several do not go to their neighborhood schools.

-signed an Asian American

Doesn’t matter what race you are that is an incredibly racist comment. Especially now. You must live in a bubble.

[Anonymous]

I’m voting for Steve Solomon and Stephen Austin. I don’t need my children attending different elementary schools when the one by us was a large factor in our purchasing of a home in Bethesda. As a homeowner, I’m paying an outsized share of support for the public schools. I also don’t need to complicate the already intense two parent household we run by moving one of my kids to a different elementary school that is non-walkable, when a walkable school is what our current boundary is for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting for Steve Solomon and Stephen Austin. I don’t need my children attending different elementary schools when the one by us was a large factor in our purchasing of a home in Bethesda. As a homeowner, I’m paying an outsized share of support for the public schools. I also don’t need to complicate the already intense two parent household we run by moving one of my kids to a different elementary school that is non-walkable, when a walkable school is what our current boundary is for.

Remind me why the guys running on an explicit pledge to maintain the status quo are the "outsider" candidates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting for Steve Solomon and Stephen Austin. I don’t need my children attending different elementary schools when the one by us was a large factor in our purchasing of a home in Bethesda. As a homeowner, I’m paying an outsized share of support for the public schools. I also don’t need to complicate the already intense two parent household we run by moving one of my kids to a different elementary school that is non-walkable, when a walkable school is what our current boundary is for.

But MCPS has no intention to reassign walk-zone schools to schools where they would need bus transportation. Anyone who says they do, is fear-mongering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting for Steve Solomon and Stephen Austin. I don’t need my children attending different elementary schools when the one by us was a large factor in our purchasing of a home in Bethesda. As a homeowner, I’m paying an outsized share of support for the public schools. I also don’t need to complicate the already intense two parent household we run by moving one of my kids to a different elementary school that is non-walkable, when a walkable school is what our current boundary is for.

Remind me why the guys running on an explicit pledge to maintain the status quo are the "outsider" candidates?

He does say dumb things. So you have that for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting for Steve Solomon and Stephen Austin. I don’t need my children attending different elementary schools when the one by us was a large factor in our purchasing of a home in Bethesda. As a homeowner, I’m paying an outsized share of support for the public schools. I also don’t need to complicate the already intense two parent household we run by moving one of my kids to a different elementary school that is non-walkable, when a walkable school is what our current boundary is for.

Remind me why the guys running on an explicit pledge to maintain the status quo are the "outsider" candidates?

Because the current board of education isn't for maintaining the status quo. They're for extreme busing. The status quo is an "outsider" point of view compared to the current board. Try to keep up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting for Steve Solomon and Stephen Austin. I don’t need my children attending different elementary schools when the one by us was a large factor in our purchasing of a home in Bethesda. As a homeowner, I’m paying an outsized share of support for the public schools. I also don’t need to complicate the already intense two parent household we run by moving one of my kids to a different elementary school that is non-walkable, when a walkable school is what our current boundary is for.

Remind me why the guys running on an explicit pledge to maintain the status quo are the "outsider" candidates?

Because the current board of education isn't for maintaining the status quo. They're for extreme busing. The status quo is an "outsider" point of view compared to the current board. Try to keep up.

Ordinarily I would call that factually incorrect, but this morning I've just about had enough, so I will instead say: that is a lie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting that all the love and hate is for Austin. No one says anything about any of the other candidates. He's not supported by the "establishment" (teacher's union, Washington Post) so this must really be bothering some people that an "outsider" candidate is actually drawing the interest of the voters!

People are saying things about several of the other candidates. Pay closer attention.

Also, speaking for myself - no, Austin's candidacy isn't bothering me. I'm a big believer in the Run For Something idea. It's his positions, his statements, and his actions as a candidate that bother me.

^^^also, since this "outsider" candidate thing comes up often: No, a white man who lives in Bethesda and is employed in the finance industry, and whose candidacy is explicitly based on defending the status quo, is not an outsider candidate.

The fact that his race matters to you motivates me more to vote for Austin. You couldn't have just said a man who lives in Bethesda who works in finance...yadda yadda. Like his race is somehow pertinent?

A large part of the dispute about the boundary analysis is the question: how should the demographics of the student body affect school boundaries and school boundary change decisions?

Race is baked into this part of the dispute.

And Steve Austin got involved in the dispute about the boundary analysis specifically because he thought that the demographics of the student body should NOT affect school boundaries or school boundary change decisions.

So yeah, his race is pertinent.

His wife is Asian and he has bi-racial children, so does he represent 2 races or just his racial category?

As for - "And Steve Austin got involved in the dispute about the boundary analysis specifically because he thought that the demographics of the student body should NOT affect school boundaries or school boundary change decisions." School boundaries should be based up on geography, population and proximity. Montgomery County is extremely diverse and changes constantly. Trying to implement some ideal demographically balanced school system would be nothing more than a never ending game of whack-a-mole. A game where MCPS would be constantly behind.

Let's be real.. in education, Asian Americans are not considered urm, and Austin supporters include many Asian Americans because many are zoned for W cluster and also don't want to get rezoned, even though several do not go to their neighborhood schools.

-signed an Asian American

Doesn’t matter what race you are that is an incredibly racist comment. Especially now. You must live in a bubble.

The dude is clearly running against diversity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting for Steve Solomon and Stephen Austin. I don’t need my children attending different elementary schools when the one by us was a large factor in our purchasing of a home in Bethesda. As a homeowner, I’m paying an outsized share of support for the public schools. I also don’t need to complicate the already intense two parent household we run by moving one of my kids to a different elementary school that is non-walkable, when a walkable school is what our current boundary is for.

But MCPS has no intention to reassign walk-zone schools to schools where they would need bus transportation. Anyone who says they do, is fear-mongering.

This is the boundary proposal for our local school. It is absolutely going from walkable to not walkable. I’m not sure why you think you know more than parents who are stressed at the thought of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m voting for Steve Solomon and Stephen Austin. I don’t need my children attending different elementary schools when the one by us was a large factor in our purchasing of a home in Bethesda. As a homeowner, I’m paying an outsized share of support for the public schools. I also don’t need to complicate the already intense two parent household we run by moving one of my kids to a different elementary school that is non-walkable, when a walkable school is what our current boundary is for.

But MCPS has no intention to reassign walk-zone schools to schools where they would need bus transportation. Anyone who says they do, is fear-mongering.

This is the boundary proposal for our local school. It is absolutely going from walkable to not walkable. I’m not sure why you think you know more than parents who are stressed at the thought of this.

Which boundary proposal for which local school? And how are you defining "walkable"? Current boundary studies in MCPS are:

Somerset ES and Westbrook ES
Rachel Carson ES and DuFief ES
Gaithersburg ES #8

The Somerset/Westbrook ES boundary study is the only one that has any options right now. The maps show the walk areas for each school. None of the options reassign the walk areas to the other school.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/planning/SomersetWestbrookBoundaryStudy.aspx