When a Leader Loses the Faith of the People They Lead

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jack Smith was incompetent. Jerry Weast was 1,000x more competent than either of them. That’s a fact and not racist for god’s sake

I felt that Smith did a lot of good especially after Starr and all that 2.0 nonsense.

Curriculum 2.0 was started under Jerry Weast's tenure. Development began in 2008, three years before Starr arrived.

Development started under Weast. Procurement was done under Starr. And that’s where any hope that 2.0 could be successful went out the window, as the MCPS officials responsible for the procurement went to work for selected contractor.

If you're referring to the contract with Pearson, that was in June 2010. Starr started a year later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jack Smith was incompetent. Jerry Weast was 1,000x more competent than either of them. That’s a fact and not racist for god’s sake

I felt that Smith did a lot of good especially after Starr and all that 2.0 nonsense.

Curriculum 2.0 was started under Jerry Weast's tenure. Development began in 2008, three years before Starr arrived.

Development started under Weast. Procurement was done under Starr. And that’s where any hope that 2.0 could be successful went out the window, as the MCPS officials responsible for the procurement went to work for selected contractor.

If you're referring to the contract with Pearson, that was in June 2010. Starr started a year later.

Yes, I work for MCPS. C 2.0 was Weast's baby. An ugly one at that.

[Anonymous]

Where is the curriculum today? Many students have gaps in learning because of curriculum information that was dropped during online learning. Gaps truly impact a child’s ability to progress in a foreign language and math because the coursework is cumulative. You need the prerequisite skills to continue. Some students - particularly students with disabilities - even lost skills they once had.

What is Dr. McKnight doing to address the learning gaps and learning loss during online learning? Students are floundering because nothing has been implemented at the school level at my child’s high school. No assessments to test his true present level of performance. No assessments to determine where he has gaps. No review to fill in gaps. Just 50% with test corrections to barely pass through his remaining time in high school.

Ignoring problems do not solve them or make them go away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where is the curriculum today? Many students have gaps in learning because of curriculum information that was dropped during online learning. Gaps truly impact a child’s ability to progress in a foreign language and math because the coursework is cumulative. You need the prerequisite skills to continue. Some students - particularly students with disabilities - even lost skills they once had.

What is Dr. McKnight doing to address the learning gaps and learning loss during online learning? Students are floundering because nothing has been implemented at the school level at my child’s high school. No assessments to test his true present level of performance. No assessments to determine where he has gaps. No review to fill in gaps. Just 50% with test corrections to barely pass through his remaining time in high school.

Ignoring problems do not solve them or make them go away.

The answer to any question that starts, “what is Dr. McKnight doing” will most likely be answered with “nothing”. She’s completely ineffectual.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe it's 11am on Sunday and none of the eleven schools that have been sent virtual have a clue if they will be returning back to in-person tomorrow or will remain virtual. I understand people need a weekend but when you're running "the largest school system in MD" you need to make some sacrificies and show some leadership. It is embarassing that I'm just a school based leader but I've been working throughout winter break and this weekend on contingency plans for my red school. My boss, however, seems to be MIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm neither in the "OMG the sky is falling must go virtual now" crowd nor am I in the "Keep the schools open dammit" crowd. I'm just a teacher who has lost all faith in Dr. McKnight and her ability to lead our school system, and I know I'm not alone. A leader simply can't lead without the faith and trust of the people they lead.

I sincerely hope the Board of Education can see the disheveled mess Dr. McKnight has made and they hire someone else for the permanent Superintendent position.

what is the process to replace the interim superintendent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe it's 11am on Sunday and none of the eleven schools that have been sent virtual have a clue if they will be returning back to in-person tomorrow or will remain virtual. I understand people need a weekend but when you're running "the largest school system in MD" you need to make some sacrificies and show some leadership. It is embarassing that I'm just a school based leader but I've been working throughout winter break and this weekend on contingency plans for my red school. My boss, however, seems to be MIA.

I'm wondering why only those 11 schools were quarantined? Who's kids are attending school there? BOE? CO? That's something that BethesdaBeat should start looking into..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is a tough time for superintendents but McKnight definitely seems to be in over her head

in over her head. And she must hate women. So many moms and teacher/moms are the ones dealing with her inadequacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe it's 11am on Sunday and none of the eleven schools that have been sent virtual have a clue if they will be returning back to in-person tomorrow or will remain virtual. I understand people need a weekend but when you're running "the largest school system in MD" you need to make some sacrificies and show some leadership. It is embarassing that I'm just a school based leader but I've been working throughout winter break and this weekend on contingency plans for my red school. My boss, however, seems to be MIA.

I'm wondering why only those 11 schools were quarantined? Who's kids are attending school there? BOE? CO? That's something that BethesdaBeat should start looking into..

My child is at one of those schools. I think the whole thing was an accident - they set that 5% threshold thinking only a few schools would make it and our 11 schools did initially. Then it ended up being the majority of schools within a few days. Who knows why we exceeded the threshold first, perhaps our schools were opting in to testing more? More outbreaks before the break? But now there are many schools that have surpassed us in overall rates. I do not think any of the BOE send their kids to Germantown/Upcounty schools but I could be wrong - I doubt that played a part. I think parents and teachers were just tired of being jerked around and having to plan day-by-day rather than week-by-week. Regardless, its not been great from this side of the grass either. Noone likes virtual, most especially teenagers.

[Anonymous]

My child is at one of those schools. I think the whole thing was an accident - they set that 5% threshold thinking only a few schools would make it and our 11 schools did initially. Then it ended up being the majority of schools within a few days. Who knows why we exceeded the threshold first, perhaps our schools were opting in to testing more? More outbreaks before the break? But now there are many schools that have surpassed us in overall rates. I do not think any of the BOE send their kids to Germantown/Upcounty schools but I could be wrong - I doubt that played a part. I think parents and teachers were just tired of being jerked around and having to plan day-by-day rather than week-by-week. Regardless, its not been great from this side of the grass either. Noone likes virtual, most especially teenagers.

The problem with this narrative is that the county tried to call out the National Guard to ensure kids to school in-person, while at the same time had 11-schools still virtual (so it wasn't even important enough to call those schools in).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My child is at one of those schools. I think the whole thing was an accident - they set that 5% threshold thinking only a few schools would make it and our 11 schools did initially. Then it ended up being the majority of schools within a few days. Who knows why we exceeded the threshold first, perhaps our schools were opting in to testing more? More outbreaks before the break? But now there are many schools that have surpassed us in overall rates. I do not think any of the BOE send their kids to Germantown/Upcounty schools but I could be wrong - I doubt that played a part. I think parents and teachers were just tired of being jerked around and having to plan day-by-day rather than week-by-week. Regardless, its not been great from this side of the grass either. Noone likes virtual, most especially teenagers.

The problem with this narrative is that the county tried to call out the National Guard to ensure kids to school in-person, while at the same time had 11-schools still virtual (so it wasn't even important enough to call those schools in).

And it's my understanding the National Guard is like, dude. We need to help vaccinate people, test people, and do hospital triage. Drive your own damn buses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The board is equally to blame.

agree. the lady from board who showed up on Hucker’s town hall looked like she just woke up. she seemed dazed and confused. i felt very worried about the capability of the BOE after she spoke. OMG, we need some leadership. Some one please bring back Dana Tofig to communicate with the community. At leaat he was effective in keeping the community informed in a timely manner.

[Anonymous]

Letter from MCAAP to the BOE: https://twitter.com/CaitlynnPeetz14/status/1481681515448786945

Yikes. This speaks to a real leadership void. It's not really anything anyone hasn't been complaining about already, but seeing the operational problems laid out like that and the total lack of communication and response to their own admins is disturbing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Letter from MCAAP to the BOE: https://twitter.com/CaitlynnPeetz14/status/1481681515448786945

Yikes. This speaks to a real leadership void. It's not really anything anyone hasn't been complaining about already, but seeing the operational problems laid out like that and the total lack of communication and response to their own admins is disturbing.

How long of a "pause to plan" are they asking for?

Also, it's not good when they say, "we're not asking for virtual instruction for the remainder of the year, but..." There should be no "but." Don't ask for it, period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The board is equally to blame.

I think that's true.

Can you or someone else explain the role of the board in this mess and can someone explain why they can't remove her?

Can they overrule her? She seems totally self involved and incapable of focusing on issues at hand.

From what I'm hearing the BOE and McKnight blame the state and the state says they have no role.

McKnight seems like a total disaster and I haven't met anyone who thought she was doing a good job. I heard she was pompous last night and incapable of addressing concerns.

McKnight and the BOE have failed everyone (except those who don't think science is real of course)

If you think school buildings should be open - they should have testing and have proper masks along with ventilation and distancing.

If you think school should be virtual - McKnight and the BOE have ignored testimony from numerous health experts, teaching staff and parents saying this is unsustainable. There is never any kind of response at all. Thresholds change to suit the BOE needs - not the staff and students. The only plan seems to be to ignore this all until it blows over. Students, teachers, staff and those they infect are apparently at fault and it had nothing to do with the BOE forcing them to be in germ infested schools with few safety protocols.


And let's not forget the BOE working from home because being in a small private office (with doors) isn't safe but an open building with 2900 people is apparently perfectly fine.

VOTE THEM ALL OUT AND KICK MCKNIGHT TO THE CURB