MCPS wants $180 million more but is cutting teachers and counselors

[Anonymous]

Crap! They should cut all those nonsense surveys!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Proof positive many of these comments are from MCPS staff who are intellectually dishonest and love their easy 250,000 gigs…they will never criticize their masters.

And even more are from right-wing trolls who will say anything to sew discontent about public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a detailed account as to how MCPS is spending ESSER funds to get students caught up?

For example: my child finally was provided in school tutoring this month. We weren’t told upfront that the teacher was tutoring four other students - all taking different classes. Much of the tutoring time my child receives is spent waiting for the teacher to come back to his curriculum content.

Is the teacher paid per student or a flat rate per hour?

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/C8CJXG4F4EC6/$file/ESSER%20211028%20PPT.pdf

Thank you for posting the link.

I’m not sure what some of the spending items have with COVID recovery:

* equity and anti-racial discrimination training

* the Leader in Me curriculum

* MCPS Athletics programs

Wouldn’t hiring more teachers and reducing class sizes be more beneficial to help students recover from online learning?

Equity to ensure that all students are being treated equally and recovering well regardless of race, SES, or special needs.

Leader in Me is part of SOcial Emotional Learning. SEL is an area of the recovery which any teacher or counselor will tell you absolutely needs focus(see behavior and social skilss of kids)

Athletics means exercise, social skills, outlet and community. Given the high rates of depression and suicides another area of viable investment. And one likely to have long term impact after the end of the grant term.

Also, with EsSR funding it end after 2023, so you’d want the cost to be either a) one and done, b) short term, or c) something that can be sustained in the Operational budget after the ending of ESSR funding time.

MCPS is asking the County Council to fund and additional $180 million for its FY23 budget.

When you look at the ESSR funding:

MCPS received $119 million but only has spent $7.5 million thus far. So they still have $113.9 million to spend by the end of FY23. When combined with the MCPS budget increase, MCPS is proposing to spend $293.9 million more next year than this year. There are no additional teachers in the ESSR budget and the MCPS budget has teacher cuts.

In addition to the the items above, MCPS has prioritize the following over staff for smaller class sizes -

* $14.2 million strategic partnerships with Lavinia Group and Kids Museum

* Foundations of Restorative Justice Summer Training

* $2 million for non-public schools

MCPS has budgeted about half of the ESSR funds for before and after school tutoring services. However only $.7 million has been spent thus far leaving $64.6 million unspent to fill in learning gaps.

It’s shocking the lack of funding for teaching support during school hours to fill in learning gaps. More teachers with smaller class sizes or breakout staff for smaller math and reading classes would do so much to fill in gaps. The spending priorities of MCPS is ludicrous.

MCPS is spending $14.2 million for Lavinia Group and Kid’s Museum but none of the ESSR funds are being used to help special needs students recuperate from regression because they had difficulties accessing accommodations and services during online learning?

The kids museum charges MCPS to use their programs and facilities. Those funds should have given MCPS schools and PTA's free access to their services.

But Josh Starr needed to sit on a board to make him feel special.

This Kid Museum investment is a complete boondoggle. Why would we invest millions of dollars into a MoCo Kid's Museum when DC is filled with free museums that our kids don't do field trips to because of lack of will from teachers and principals as well as lack of bus transportation. How are our kids going to take advantage of this kid museum space?

As someone whose chaperoned a couple fieldtrips in vary states, I don’t begrudge principals or teachers for not having them high on list of things to do. While I can completely see the benefit, the planning, prep, and day of is definitely full of headaches. Not to mention trying to get enough adult volunteers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a detailed account as to how MCPS is spending ESSER funds to get students caught up?

For example: my child finally was provided in school tutoring this month. We weren’t told upfront that the teacher was tutoring four other students - all taking different classes. Much of the tutoring time my child receives is spent waiting for the teacher to come back to his curriculum content.

Is the teacher paid per student or a flat rate per hour?

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/C8CJXG4F4EC6/$file/ESSER%20211028%20PPT.pdf

Thank you for posting the link.

I’m not sure what some of the spending items have with COVID recovery:

* equity and anti-racial discrimination training

* the Leader in Me curriculum

* MCPS Athletics programs

Wouldn’t hiring more teachers and reducing class sizes be more beneficial to help students recover from online learning?

Equity to ensure that all students are being treated equally and recovering well regardless of race, SES, or special needs.

Leader in Me is part of SOcial Emotional Learning. SEL is an area of the recovery which any teacher or counselor will tell you absolutely needs focus(see behavior and social skilss of kids)

Athletics means exercise, social skills, outlet and community. Given the high rates of depression and suicides another area of viable investment. And one likely to have long term impact after the end of the grant term.

Also, with EsSR funding it end after 2023, so you’d want the cost to be either a) one and done, b) short term, or c) something that can be sustained in the Operational budget after the ending of ESSR funding time.

MCPS is asking the County Council to fund and additional $180 million for its FY23 budget.

When you look at the ESSR funding:

MCPS received $119 million but only has spent $7.5 million thus far. So they still have $113.9 million to spend by the end of FY23. When combined with the MCPS budget increase, MCPS is proposing to spend $293.9 million more next year than this year. There are no additional teachers in the ESSR budget and the MCPS budget has teacher cuts.

In addition to the the items above, MCPS has prioritize the following over staff for smaller class sizes -

* $14.2 million strategic partnerships with Lavinia Group and Kids Museum

* Foundations of Restorative Justice Summer Training

* $2 million for non-public schools

MCPS has budgeted about half of the ESSR funds for before and after school tutoring services. However only $.7 million has been spent thus far leaving $64.6 million unspent to fill in learning gaps.

It’s shocking the lack of funding for teaching support during school hours to fill in learning gaps. More teachers with smaller class sizes or breakout staff for smaller math and reading classes would do so much to fill in gaps. The spending priorities of MCPS is ludicrous.

MCPS is spending $14.2 million for Lavinia Group and Kid’s Museum but none of the ESSR funds are being used to help special needs students recuperate from regression because they had difficulties accessing accommodations and services during online learning?

The kids museum charges MCPS to use their programs and facilities. Those funds should have given MCPS schools and PTA's free access to their services.

But Josh Starr needed to sit on a board to make him feel special.

This Kid Museum investment is a complete boondoggle. Why would we invest millions of dollars into a MoCo Kid's Museum when DC is filled with free museums that our kids don't do field trips to because of lack of will from teachers and principals as well as lack of bus transportation. How are our kids going to take advantage of this kid museum space?

As someone whose chaperoned a couple fieldtrips in vary states, I don’t begrudge principals or teachers for not having them high on list of things to do. While I can completely see the benefit, the planning, prep, and day of is definitely full of headaches. Not to mention trying to get enough adult volunteers.

I have been on every field trip my kids have and while I agree with you they should be giving mcps free field trips or bringing educators to the school. Otherwise if it does not benefit mcps why give them the money? How many kids in mcps does it benefit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a detailed account as to how MCPS is spending ESSER funds to get students caught up?

For example: my child finally was provided in school tutoring this month. We weren’t told upfront that the teacher was tutoring four other students - all taking different classes. Much of the tutoring time my child receives is spent waiting for the teacher to come back to his curriculum content.

Is the teacher paid per student or a flat rate per hour?

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/C8CJXG4F4EC6/$file/ESSER%20211028%20PPT.pdf

Thank you for posting the link.

I’m not sure what some of the spending items have with COVID recovery:

* equity and anti-racial discrimination training

* the Leader in Me curriculum

* MCPS Athletics programs

Wouldn’t hiring more teachers and reducing class sizes be more beneficial to help students recover from online learning?

Equity to ensure that all students are being treated equally and recovering well regardless of race, SES, or special needs.

Leader in Me is part of SOcial Emotional Learning. SEL is an area of the recovery which any teacher or counselor will tell you absolutely needs focus(see behavior and social skilss of kids)

Athletics means exercise, social skills, outlet and community. Given the high rates of depression and suicides another area of viable investment. And one likely to have long term impact after the end of the grant term.

Also, with EsSR funding it end after 2023, so you’d want the cost to be either a) one and done, b) short term, or c) something that can be sustained in the Operational budget after the ending of ESSR funding time.

MCPS is asking the County Council to fund and additional $180 million for its FY23 budget.

When you look at the ESSR funding:

MCPS received $119 million but only has spent $7.5 million thus far. So they still have $113.9 million to spend by the end of FY23. When combined with the MCPS budget increase, MCPS is proposing to spend $293.9 million more next year than this year. There are no additional teachers in the ESSR budget and the MCPS budget has teacher cuts.

In addition to the the items above, MCPS has prioritize the following over staff for smaller class sizes -

* $14.2 million strategic partnerships with Lavinia Group and Kids Museum

* Foundations of Restorative Justice Summer Training

* $2 million for non-public schools

MCPS has budgeted about half of the ESSR funds for before and after school tutoring services. However only $.7 million has been spent thus far leaving $64.6 million unspent to fill in learning gaps.

It’s shocking the lack of funding for teaching support during school hours to fill in learning gaps. More teachers with smaller class sizes or breakout staff for smaller math and reading classes would do so much to fill in gaps. The spending priorities of MCPS is ludicrous.

MCPS is spending $14.2 million for Lavinia Group and Kid’s Museum but none of the ESSR funds are being used to help special needs students recuperate from regression because they had difficulties accessing accommodations and services during online learning?

The kids museum charges MCPS to use their programs and facilities. Those funds should have given MCPS schools and PTA's free access to their services.

But Josh Starr needed to sit on a board to make him feel special.

This Kid Museum investment is a complete boondoggle. Why would we invest millions of dollars into a MoCo Kid's Museum when DC is filled with free museums that our kids don't do field trips to because of lack of will from teachers and principals as well as lack of bus transportation. How are our kids going to take advantage of this kid museum space?

As someone whose chaperoned a couple fieldtrips in vary states, I don’t begrudge principals or teachers for not having them high on list of things to do. While I can completely see the benefit, the planning, prep, and day of is definitely full of headaches. Not to mention trying to get enough adult volunteers.

I have been on every field trip my kids have and while I agree with you they should be giving mcps free field trips or bringing educators to the school. Otherwise if it does not benefit mcps why give them the money? How many kids in mcps does it benefit?

Most of my fondest childhood memories were of school field trips. They're such a right of passage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a detailed account as to how MCPS is spending ESSER funds to get students caught up?

For example: my child finally was provided in school tutoring this month. We weren’t told upfront that the teacher was tutoring four other students - all taking different classes. Much of the tutoring time my child receives is spent waiting for the teacher to come back to his curriculum content.

Is the teacher paid per student or a flat rate per hour?

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/C8CJXG4F4EC6/$file/ESSER%20211028%20PPT.pdf

Thank you for posting the link.

I’m not sure what some of the spending items have with COVID recovery:

* equity and anti-racial discrimination training

* the Leader in Me curriculum

* MCPS Athletics programs

Wouldn’t hiring more teachers and reducing class sizes be more beneficial to help students recover from online learning?

Equity to ensure that all students are being treated equally and recovering well regardless of race, SES, or special needs.

Leader in Me is part of SOcial Emotional Learning. SEL is an area of the recovery which any teacher or counselor will tell you absolutely needs focus(see behavior and social skilss of kids)

Athletics means exercise, social skills, outlet and community. Given the high rates of depression and suicides another area of viable investment. And one likely to have long term impact after the end of the grant term.

Also, with EsSR funding it end after 2023, so you’d want the cost to be either a) one and done, b) short term, or c) something that can be sustained in the Operational budget after the ending of ESSR funding time.

MCPS is asking the County Council to fund and additional $180 million for its FY23 budget.

When you look at the ESSR funding:

MCPS received $119 million but only has spent $7.5 million thus far. So they still have $113.9 million to spend by the end of FY23. When combined with the MCPS budget increase, MCPS is proposing to spend $293.9 million more next year than this year. There are no additional teachers in the ESSR budget and the MCPS budget has teacher cuts.

In addition to the the items above, MCPS has prioritize the following over staff for smaller class sizes -

* $14.2 million strategic partnerships with Lavinia Group and Kids Museum

* Foundations of Restorative Justice Summer Training

* $2 million for non-public schools

MCPS has budgeted about half of the ESSR funds for before and after school tutoring services. However only $.7 million has been spent thus far leaving $64.6 million unspent to fill in learning gaps.

It’s shocking the lack of funding for teaching support during school hours to fill in learning gaps. More teachers with smaller class sizes or breakout staff for smaller math and reading classes would do so much to fill in gaps. The spending priorities of MCPS is ludicrous.

MCPS is spending $14.2 million for Lavinia Group and Kid’s Museum but none of the ESSR funds are being used to help special needs students recuperate from regression because they had difficulties accessing accommodations and services during online learning?

The kids museum charges MCPS to use their programs and facilities. Those funds should have given MCPS schools and PTA's free access to their services.

But Josh Starr needed to sit on a board to make him feel special.

This Kid Museum investment is a complete boondoggle. Why would we invest millions of dollars into a MoCo Kid's Museum when DC is filled with free museums that our kids don't do field trips to because of lack of will from teachers and principals as well as lack of bus transportation. How are our kids going to take advantage of this kid museum space?

As someone whose chaperoned a couple fieldtrips in vary states, I don’t begrudge principals or teachers for not having them high on list of things to do. While I can completely see the benefit, the planning, prep, and day of is definitely full of headaches. Not to mention trying to get enough adult volunteers.

I have been on every field trip my kids have and while I agree with you they should be giving mcps free field trips or bringing educators to the school. Otherwise if it does not benefit mcps why give them the money? How many kids in mcps does it benefit?

Most of my fondest childhood memories were of school field trips. They're such a right of passage.

Have you been on them as a parent? They suck for the staff and adults.

[Anonymous]

Can someone flag this for the Bethesda Beat and/or the Washington Post education reporter? I want actual facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proof positive many of these comments are from MCPS staff who are intellectually dishonest and love their easy 250,000 gigs…they will never criticize their masters.

And even more are from right-wing trolls who will say anything to sew discontent about public schools.

Keep looking for right wing ghosts. I am actually just interested in good governance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a detailed account as to how MCPS is spending ESSER funds to get students caught up?

For example: my child finally was provided in school tutoring this month. We weren’t told upfront that the teacher was tutoring four other students - all taking different classes. Much of the tutoring time my child receives is spent waiting for the teacher to come back to his curriculum content.

Is the teacher paid per student or a flat rate per hour?

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/C8CJXG4F4EC6/$file/ESSER%20211028%20PPT.pdf

Thank you for posting the link.

I’m not sure what some of the spending items have with COVID recovery:

* equity and anti-racial discrimination training

* the Leader in Me curriculum

* MCPS Athletics programs

Wouldn’t hiring more teachers and reducing class sizes be more beneficial to help students recover from online learning?

Equity to ensure that all students are being treated equally and recovering well regardless of race, SES, or special needs.

Leader in Me is part of SOcial Emotional Learning. SEL is an area of the recovery which any teacher or counselor will tell you absolutely needs focus(see behavior and social skilss of kids)

Athletics means exercise, social skills, outlet and community. Given the high rates of depression and suicides another area of viable investment. And one likely to have long term impact after the end of the grant term.

Also, with EsSR funding it end after 2023, so you’d want the cost to be either a) one and done, b) short term, or c) something that can be sustained in the Operational budget after the ending of ESSR funding time.

MCPS is asking the County Council to fund and additional $180 million for its FY23 budget.

When you look at the ESSR funding:

MCPS received $119 million but only has spent $7.5 million thus far. So they still have $113.9 million to spend by the end of FY23. When combined with the MCPS budget increase, MCPS is proposing to spend $293.9 million more next year than this year. There are no additional teachers in the ESSR budget and the MCPS budget has teacher cuts.

In addition to the the items above, MCPS has prioritize the following over staff for smaller class sizes -

* $14.2 million strategic partnerships with Lavinia Group and Kids Museum

* Foundations of Restorative Justice Summer Training

* $2 million for non-public schools

MCPS has budgeted about half of the ESSR funds for before and after school tutoring services. However only $.7 million has been spent thus far leaving $64.6 million unspent to fill in learning gaps.

It’s shocking the lack of funding for teaching support during school hours to fill in learning gaps. More teachers with smaller class sizes or breakout staff for smaller math and reading classes would do so much to fill in gaps. The spending priorities of MCPS is ludicrous.

MCPS is spending $14.2 million for Lavinia Group and Kid’s Museum but none of the ESSR funds are being used to help special needs students recuperate from regression because they had difficulties accessing accommodations and services during online learning?

The kids museum charges MCPS to use their programs and facilities. Those funds should have given MCPS schools and PTA's free access to their services.

But Josh Starr needed to sit on a board to make him feel special.

This Kid Museum investment is a complete boondoggle. Why would we invest millions of dollars into a MoCo Kid's Museum when DC is filled with free museums that our kids don't do field trips to because of lack of will from teachers and principals as well as lack of bus transportation. How are our kids going to take advantage of this kid museum space?

As someone whose chaperoned a couple fieldtrips in vary states, I don’t begrudge principals or teachers for not having them high on list of things to do. While I can completely see the benefit, the planning, prep, and day of is definitely full of headaches. Not to mention trying to get enough adult volunteers.

I have been on every field trip my kids have and while I agree with you they should be giving mcps free field trips or bringing educators to the school. Otherwise if it does not benefit mcps why give them the money? How many kids in mcps does it benefit?

Most of my fondest childhood memories were of school field trips. They're such a right of passage.

Have you been on them as a parent? They suck for the staff and adults.

I enjoy them. Work, yes, but fun, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a detailed account as to how MCPS is spending ESSER funds to get students caught up?

For example: my child finally was provided in school tutoring this month. We weren’t told upfront that the teacher was tutoring four other students - all taking different classes. Much of the tutoring time my child receives is spent waiting for the teacher to come back to his curriculum content.

Is the teacher paid per student or a flat rate per hour?

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/C8CJXG4F4EC6/$file/ESSER%20211028%20PPT.pdf

Thank you for posting the link.

I’m not sure what some of the spending items have with COVID recovery:

* equity and anti-racial discrimination training

* the Leader in Me curriculum

* MCPS Athletics programs

Wouldn’t hiring more teachers and reducing class sizes be more beneficial to help students recover from online learning?

Equity to ensure that all students are being treated equally and recovering well regardless of race, SES, or special needs.

Leader in Me is part of SOcial Emotional Learning. SEL is an area of the recovery which any teacher or counselor will tell you absolutely needs focus(see behavior and social skilss of kids)

Athletics means exercise, social skills, outlet and community. Given the high rates of depression and suicides another area of viable investment. And one likely to have long term impact after the end of the grant term.

Also, with EsSR funding it end after 2023, so you’d want the cost to be either a) one and done, b) short term, or c) something that can be sustained in the Operational budget after the ending of ESSR funding time.

MCPS is asking the County Council to fund and additional $180 million for its FY23 budget.

When you look at the ESSR funding:

MCPS received $119 million but only has spent $7.5 million thus far. So they still have $113.9 million to spend by the end of FY23. When combined with the MCPS budget increase, MCPS is proposing to spend $293.9 million more next year than this year. There are no additional teachers in the ESSR budget and the MCPS budget has teacher cuts.

In addition to the the items above, MCPS has prioritize the following over staff for smaller class sizes -

* $14.2 million strategic partnerships with Lavinia Group and Kids Museum

* Foundations of Restorative Justice Summer Training

* $2 million for non-public schools

MCPS has budgeted about half of the ESSR funds for before and after school tutoring services. However only $.7 million has been spent thus far leaving $64.6 million unspent to fill in learning gaps.

It’s shocking the lack of funding for teaching support during school hours to fill in learning gaps. More teachers with smaller class sizes or breakout staff for smaller math and reading classes would do so much to fill in gaps. The spending priorities of MCPS is ludicrous.

MCPS is spending $14.2 million for Lavinia Group and Kid’s Museum but none of the ESSR funds are being used to help special needs students recuperate from regression because they had difficulties accessing accommodations and services during online learning?

The kids museum charges MCPS to use their programs and facilities. Those funds should have given MCPS schools and PTA's free access to their services.

But Josh Starr needed to sit on a board to make him feel special.

This Kid Museum investment is a complete boondoggle. Why would we invest millions of dollars into a MoCo Kid's Museum when DC is filled with free museums that our kids don't do field trips to because of lack of will from teachers and principals as well as lack of bus transportation. How are our kids going to take advantage of this kid museum space?

As someone whose chaperoned a couple fieldtrips in vary states, I don’t begrudge principals or teachers for not having them high on list of things to do. While I can completely see the benefit, the planning, prep, and day of is definitely full of headaches. Not to mention trying to get enough adult volunteers.

I have been on every field trip my kids have and while I agree with you they should be giving mcps free field trips or bringing educators to the school. Otherwise if it does not benefit mcps why give them the money? How many kids in mcps does it benefit?

Most of my fondest childhood memories were of school field trips. They're such a right of passage.

Have you been on them as a parent? They suck for the staff and adults.

I enjoy them. Work, yes, but fun, too.

Your one of only a few then. Every parent I know who’s been on one dreads them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a detailed account as to how MCPS is spending ESSER funds to get students caught up?

For example: my child finally was provided in school tutoring this month. We weren’t told upfront that the teacher was tutoring four other students - all taking different classes. Much of the tutoring time my child receives is spent waiting for the teacher to come back to his curriculum content.

Is the teacher paid per student or a flat rate per hour?

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/C8CJXG4F4EC6/$file/ESSER%20211028%20PPT.pdf

Thank you for posting the link.

I’m not sure what some of the spending items have with COVID recovery:

* equity and anti-racial discrimination training

* the Leader in Me curriculum

* MCPS Athletics programs

Wouldn’t hiring more teachers and reducing class sizes be more beneficial to help students recover from online learning?

Equity to ensure that all students are being treated equally and recovering well regardless of race, SES, or special needs.

Leader in Me is part of SOcial Emotional Learning. SEL is an area of the recovery which any teacher or counselor will tell you absolutely needs focus(see behavior and social skilss of kids)

Athletics means exercise, social skills, outlet and community. Given the high rates of depression and suicides another area of viable investment. And one likely to have long term impact after the end of the grant term.

Also, with EsSR funding it end after 2023, so you’d want the cost to be either a) one and done, b) short term, or c) something that can be sustained in the Operational budget after the ending of ESSR funding time.

MCPS is asking the County Council to fund and additional $180 million for its FY23 budget.

When you look at the ESSR funding:

MCPS received $119 million but only has spent $7.5 million thus far. So they still have $113.9 million to spend by the end of FY23. When combined with the MCPS budget increase, MCPS is proposing to spend $293.9 million more next year than this year. There are no additional teachers in the ESSR budget and the MCPS budget has teacher cuts.

In addition to the the items above, MCPS has prioritize the following over staff for smaller class sizes -

* $14.2 million strategic partnerships with Lavinia Group and Kids Museum

* Foundations of Restorative Justice Summer Training

* $2 million for non-public schools

MCPS has budgeted about half of the ESSR funds for before and after school tutoring services. However only $.7 million has been spent thus far leaving $64.6 million unspent to fill in learning gaps.

It’s shocking the lack of funding for teaching support during school hours to fill in learning gaps. More teachers with smaller class sizes or breakout staff for smaller math and reading classes would do so much to fill in gaps. The spending priorities of MCPS is ludicrous.

MCPS is spending $14.2 million for Lavinia Group and Kid’s Museum but none of the ESSR funds are being used to help special needs students recuperate from regression because they had difficulties accessing accommodations and services during online learning?

The kids museum charges MCPS to use their programs and facilities. Those funds should have given MCPS schools and PTA's free access to their services.

But Josh Starr needed to sit on a board to make him feel special.

This Kid Museum investment is a complete boondoggle. Why would we invest millions of dollars into a MoCo Kid's Museum when DC is filled with free museums that our kids don't do field trips to because of lack of will from teachers and principals as well as lack of bus transportation. How are our kids going to take advantage of this kid museum space?

As someone whose chaperoned a couple fieldtrips in vary states, I don’t begrudge principals or teachers for not having them high on list of things to do. While I can completely see the benefit, the planning, prep, and day of is definitely full of headaches. Not to mention trying to get enough adult volunteers.

I have been on every field trip my kids have and while I agree with you they should be giving mcps free field trips or bringing educators to the school. Otherwise if it does not benefit mcps why give them the money? How many kids in mcps does it benefit?

Most of my fondest childhood memories were of school field trips. They're such a right of passage.

Have you been on them as a parent? They suck for the staff and adults.

I enjoy them. Work, yes, but fun, too.

Your one of only a few then. Every parent I know who’s been on one dreads them.

That’s because they went on a few. Seeing how other parents took care of the kids I always went but got my husband and mom to go. They both went once and never again.

[Anonymous]

If MCPS is paying that kind of money on a kids museum instead of teachers and counselors then every MCPS student should have a field trip there for free.

I bet the people running the kids museum are making six figures hence where the money is going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ya’ll are amazing. The Operating Budget plan has been available for review for 2 months including community comment. MCCPTA can barely get anyone to sit on the committee to review the budget. The BOR has had (3)Operating Budget hearings and (4) Work sessions to review every part of the operating budget, all of which are recorded so can still be reviewed. But, today after one article is published, one that seems barely researched, ya’ll have concern and complaint, and all without having reviewed said budget yourselves???

And folks wonder why America has problems.

That’s what happens when people don’t pay for their local reporters. Things like this go unnoticed until it’s too late. We need local reporters to sit in on these meetings and report to the public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ya’ll are amazing. The Operating Budget plan has been available for review for 2 months including community comment. MCCPTA can barely get anyone to sit on the committee to review the budget. The BOR has had (3)Operating Budget hearings and (4) Work sessions to review every part of the operating budget, all of which are recorded so can still be reviewed. But, today after one article is published, one that seems barely researched, ya’ll have concern and complaint, and all without having reviewed said budget yourselves???

And folks wonder why America has problems.

That’s what happens when people don’t pay for their local reporters. Things like this go unnoticed until it’s too late. We need local reporters to sit in on these meetings and report to the public.

That’’s part of it. But its also what happens when people are mess civically minded and don’t think they have to nor should engage until they are specifically affected. And even then they’re engagement level is complaining and not actually working towards change or resolution. Folks want to be spoon feed everything. Its even more ridiculous because a local reporter actually did a report on the Operating Budget that was actual better than the article that started this thread.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/school-board-gives-first-approval-to-mcps-2-96b-budget/

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Is there a detailed account as to how MCPS is spending ESSER funds to get students caught up?

For example: my child finally was provided in school tutoring this month. We weren’t told upfront that the teacher was tutoring four other students - all taking different classes. Much of the tutoring time my child receives is spent waiting for the teacher to come back to his curriculum content.

Is the teacher paid per student or a flat rate per hour?

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/C8CJXG4F4EC6/$file/ESSER%20211028%20PPT.pdf

Thank you for posting the link.

I’m not sure what some of the spending items have with COVID recovery:

* equity and anti-racial discrimination training

* the Leader in Me curriculum

* MCPS Athletics programs

Wouldn’t hiring more teachers and reducing class sizes be more beneficial to help students recover from online learning?

Equity to ensure that all students are being treated equally and recovering well regardless of race, SES, or special needs.

Leader in Me is part of SOcial Emotional Learning. SEL is an area of the recovery which any teacher or counselor will tell you absolutely needs focus(see behavior and social skilss of kids)

Athletics means exercise, social skills, outlet and community. Given the high rates of depression and suicides another area of viable investment. And one likely to have long term impact after the end of the grant term.

Also, with EsSR funding it end after 2023, so you’d want the cost to be either a) one and done, b) short term, or c) something that can be sustained in the Operational budget after the ending of ESSR funding time.

MCPS is asking the County Council to fund and additional $180 million for its FY23 budget.

When you look at the ESSR funding:

MCPS received $119 million but only has spent $7.5 million thus far. So they still have $113.9 million to spend by the end of FY23. When combined with the MCPS budget increase, MCPS is proposing to spend $293.9 million more next year than this year. There are no additional teachers in the ESSR budget and the MCPS budget has teacher cuts.

In addition to the the items above, MCPS has prioritize the following over staff for smaller class sizes -

* $14.2 million strategic partnerships with Lavinia Group and Kids Museum

* Foundations of Restorative Justice Summer Training

* $2 million for non-public schools

MCPS has budgeted about half of the ESSR funds for before and after school tutoring services. However only $.7 million has been spent thus far leaving $64.6 million unspent to fill in learning gaps.

It’s shocking the lack of funding for teaching support during school hours to fill in learning gaps. More teachers with smaller class sizes or breakout staff for smaller math and reading classes would do so much to fill in gaps. The spending priorities of MCPS is ludicrous.

MCPS is spending $14.2 million for Lavinia Group and Kid’s Museum but none of the ESSR funds are being used to help special needs students recuperate from regression because they had difficulties accessing accommodations and services during online learning?

The kids museum charges MCPS to use their programs and facilities. Those funds should have given MCPS schools and PTA's free access to their services.

But Josh Starr needed to sit on a board to make him feel special.

This Kid Museum investment is a complete boondoggle. Why would we invest millions of dollars into a MoCo Kid's Museum when DC is filled with free museums that our kids don't do field trips to because of lack of will from teachers and principals as well as lack of bus transportation. How are our kids going to take advantage of this kid museum space?

As someone whose chaperoned a couple fieldtrips in vary states, I don’t begrudge principals or teachers for not having them high on list of things to do. While I can completely see the benefit, the planning, prep, and day of is definitely full of headaches. Not to mention trying to get enough adult volunteers.

I have been on every field trip my kids have and while I agree with you they should be giving mcps free field trips or bringing educators to the school. Otherwise if it does not benefit mcps why give them the money? How many kids in mcps does it benefit?

Most of my fondest childhood memories were of school field trips. They're such a right of passage.

Have you been on them as a parent? They suck for the staff and adults.

I enjoy them. Work, yes, but fun, too.

A few are fun, most aren't. Its not fun trying to keep kids in their seat for an hour to a museum, then manage 5-8 kids in a museum without losing any of them, and then an hour ride back. Or, better, when another parent dumps their group on you.