Message
I just wanted to add because it doesn't appear anyone posted it, but we did some analysis on the various MCPS demographics and subjects from this MCAP report
https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-hispanic-economically-disadvantaged-students-in-bottom-half-of-state-while-disabled-black-african-american-learners-shine-latest-testing-results/
Here were the notable conclusions when compared to the rest of the state:
Needs Improvement
Two areas stand out in the MCAP results as needing the most improvement compared to other Maryland counties.
The first is Hispanic/Latino Students where MCPS averaged a state ranking of 14.9 (in the bottom half of all counties for nearly every subject and grade level) and an average proficiency score of 20.46%
The second is Economically Disadvantaged Students who averaged a state ranking of 12.8 (in the bottom half of all counties for all but 3 subjects and grade levels) and an average proficiency score of 21.03
Bright Spots
There are some bright spots worth mentioning. Black / African American students in MCPS on average ranked 4.1 amongst county’s Black / African American populations with a 30.09% proficiency.
Students with Disabilities had MCPS’s best rankings with on average a 1.9 ranking and 15.44% proficiency.
While these last two don’t necessarily reflect great proficiencies, they do show some strengths of MCPS compared to other Maryland counties and are higher than MCPS overall rankings.
We also did an update to previous pieces on the 2024 MCPS MCAP data for Geometry compared to other recent years:
https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-middle-school-geometry-testing-2024-updates/
https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-hispanic-economically-disadvantaged-students-in-bottom-half-of-state-while-disabled-black-african-american-learners-shine-latest-testing-results/
Here were the notable conclusions when compared to the rest of the state:
Needs Improvement
Two areas stand out in the MCAP results as needing the most improvement compared to other Maryland counties.
The first is Hispanic/Latino Students where MCPS averaged a state ranking of 14.9 (in the bottom half of all counties for nearly every subject and grade level) and an average proficiency score of 20.46%
The second is Economically Disadvantaged Students who averaged a state ranking of 12.8 (in the bottom half of all counties for all but 3 subjects and grade levels) and an average proficiency score of 21.03
Bright Spots
There are some bright spots worth mentioning. Black / African American students in MCPS on average ranked 4.1 amongst county’s Black / African American populations with a 30.09% proficiency.
Students with Disabilities had MCPS’s best rankings with on average a 1.9 ranking and 15.44% proficiency.
While these last two don’t necessarily reflect great proficiencies, they do show some strengths of MCPS compared to other Maryland counties and are higher than MCPS overall rankings.
We also did an update to previous pieces on the 2024 MCPS MCAP data for Geometry compared to other recent years:
https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-middle-school-geometry-testing-2024-updates/
Anonymous wrote:This is superb. Very good reporting by MM
Thank you, much appreciated
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Was this prompted by Taylor's arrival?
Yes, I would like the "why?" scuttlebutt
Guessing Parents Coalition or Moderately Moco will post all the juicy gossip.
So far the only thing we really have heard is that he found another job. Nothing crazy.
Related to cell phone use in schools, I was surprised when analyzing the first 1250 responses to Dr. Taylor's survey that overwhelmingly the top issue mentioned seems to be cell phone use:
https://moderatelymoco.com/part-two-data-driven-decisions-detailed-analysis-of-mcps-superintendents-survey-responses/
https://moderatelymoco.com/part-two-data-driven-decisions-detailed-analysis-of-mcps-superintendents-survey-responses/
Breaking: Seth Adams, MCPS Deputy Chief of Facilities Management to Resign
https://moderatelymoco.com/seth-adams-mcps-deputy-chief-of-facilities-management-to-resign/
We began hearing earlier in the week that Seth Adams, MCPS Deputy Chief of Facilities Management, will be resigning from his position. It was confirmed by MCPS this morning (see MCPS statement below).
Statement from MCPS PIO
Per MCPS PIO, "Seth Adams, our Deputy Chief of Facilities Management, has decided to pursue new opportunities and has resigned from his position.
His last day at MCPS will be July 26, 2024. We want to express our sincere gratitude to Seth for his valuable contributions to our team. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
History
According to his LinkedIn, Adams has worked at MCPS since 2008.
On MCPS Website, Adams is currently listed as an Associate Superintendent under the Office of Facilities Management.
As the lead in facilities management, Adams works extensively on issues related to boundary studies, and was involved in the recent relocation of the MCPS BOE Headquarters among many other duties.
https://moderatelymoco.com/seth-adams-mcps-deputy-chief-of-facilities-management-to-resign/
We began hearing earlier in the week that Seth Adams, MCPS Deputy Chief of Facilities Management, will be resigning from his position. It was confirmed by MCPS this morning (see MCPS statement below).
Statement from MCPS PIO
Per MCPS PIO, "Seth Adams, our Deputy Chief of Facilities Management, has decided to pursue new opportunities and has resigned from his position.
His last day at MCPS will be July 26, 2024. We want to express our sincere gratitude to Seth for his valuable contributions to our team. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors."
History
According to his LinkedIn, Adams has worked at MCPS since 2008.
On MCPS Website, Adams is currently listed as an Associate Superintendent under the Office of Facilities Management.
As the lead in facilities management, Adams works extensively on issues related to boundary studies, and was involved in the recent relocation of the MCPS BOE Headquarters among many other duties.
https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-misused-emergency-procurements-to-respond-to-beidleman-media-attention/
Rockville, Maryland – Montgomery County Maryland Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi announced today the release of a new Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Memorandum of Investigation, MCPS’ Procurement of Crisis Management Services, OIG Publication # OIG-24-17, detailing the results of an OIG Investigation into the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPs) use of emergency procurements. Last fall, using emergency procurement methods, MCPS acquired crisis management services to assist in managing inquiries about MCPS’ handling of misconduct allegations against former Principal Joel Beidleman (See related OIG report at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/igproduct.html). The investigation was predicated on a complaint received through the OIG’s hotline.
Emergency procurements enable administrators to expeditiously procure services to address serious needs that cannot otherwise be met through normal procurement methods. MCPS’ Procurement Manual allows for the use of emergency procurements when “[a]n emergency may arise in order to protect personal safety, life or property.” Because they are inherently riskier, result in higher costs, and lack the transparency of other procurement methods, emergency procurements should only be used when other procurement methods are not feasible. For this reason, MCPS places controls on their use and provides specific directions on processing requests.
The OIG substantiated that MCPS improperly used emergency procurements to acquire crisis management and communication services totaling $210,000, in violation of MCPS policy.
The OIG further substantiated that MCPS did not follow established procedures for seeking approval to use emergency procurements.
The full report can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/Resources/Files/PDF/IGActivity/FY2024/OIGMemo-MCPS.pdf
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According to the report, “The OIG subsequently obtained documentation showing that on October 12, 2023, the Montgomery County Board of Education (BOE) approved a contract for $105,000 under MCPS’ emergency procurement provisions to acquire crisis management consulting services. The Contract sough to procure crisis management and communication services to assist in managing inquiries about MCPS’ handling of misconduct allegations against former MCPS Principal Joel Beidleman”
Rockville, Maryland – Montgomery County Maryland Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi announced today the release of a new Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Memorandum of Investigation, MCPS’ Procurement of Crisis Management Services, OIG Publication # OIG-24-17, detailing the results of an OIG Investigation into the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPs) use of emergency procurements. Last fall, using emergency procurement methods, MCPS acquired crisis management services to assist in managing inquiries about MCPS’ handling of misconduct allegations against former Principal Joel Beidleman (See related OIG report at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/igproduct.html). The investigation was predicated on a complaint received through the OIG’s hotline.
Emergency procurements enable administrators to expeditiously procure services to address serious needs that cannot otherwise be met through normal procurement methods. MCPS’ Procurement Manual allows for the use of emergency procurements when “[a]n emergency may arise in order to protect personal safety, life or property.” Because they are inherently riskier, result in higher costs, and lack the transparency of other procurement methods, emergency procurements should only be used when other procurement methods are not feasible. For this reason, MCPS places controls on their use and provides specific directions on processing requests.
The OIG substantiated that MCPS improperly used emergency procurements to acquire crisis management and communication services totaling $210,000, in violation of MCPS policy.
The OIG further substantiated that MCPS did not follow established procedures for seeking approval to use emergency procurements.
The full report can be found at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/Resources/Files/PDF/IGActivity/FY2024/OIGMemo-MCPS.pdf
--------
According to the report, “The OIG subsequently obtained documentation showing that on October 12, 2023, the Montgomery County Board of Education (BOE) approved a contract for $105,000 under MCPS’ emergency procurement provisions to acquire crisis management consulting services. The Contract sough to procure crisis management and communication services to assist in managing inquiries about MCPS’ handling of misconduct allegations against former MCPS Principal Joel Beidleman”
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on the impact this choice will have on the upcoming boundary redrawing?
They're building two new high schools. MCPS has to redraw the boundaries no matter what. How would this supe build two new high schools without redrawing the boundaries?
While I doubt the Superintendent choice will have much of a direct impact on the upcoming boundary redrawing, I do expect an adjustment now that Damascus High School renovation is delayed (again).
The current plan combined essentially 2 different boundary studies (Damascus and Crown) into one because they were both slated to finish by 2027. Damascus has been pushed back by at least 2 years it seems so a decision needs to be made whether to still combine the two and delay implementation of some until the renovation is complete or to separate them out into different studies.
To my knowledge, we were the only ones who reported on the heat incident.
The petition only had a total of 5 signatures.
"The only negative thing we have been able to find about Dr. Taylor is this petition with 5 signatures from an August 2022 employee teambuilding event that allegedly led to heat related illnesses of some attendees."
https://moderatelymoco.com/new-mcps-superintendent-announced-dr-thomas-w-taylor/
The petition only had a total of 5 signatures.
"The only negative thing we have been able to find about Dr. Taylor is this petition with 5 signatures from an August 2022 employee teambuilding event that allegedly led to heat related illnesses of some attendees."
https://moderatelymoco.com/new-mcps-superintendent-announced-dr-thomas-w-taylor/
Anonymous wrote:Get rid of April Key next please
Any specific issues you'd like to elaborate on? It's a name I've heard come up a lot including in the recent budget issues
Anonymous wrote:Probably best for the new superintendent to hire their own chief operating officer and chief of staff anyway. Especially since there isn't a deputy superintendent position anymore.
I agree that the new superintendent should probably hire their own people and definitely needs to continue to look into the retaliation, mishandling of Beidleman, and coverup afterwards and who all was involved. There is a lot for him to do. It is odd to fire someone when you have one foot out the door and will be gone yourself in 15 days. Maybe they didn't want Hull talking to the new guy or something like that?
Anonymous wrote:So is Felder out at the end of this month? Will they appoint another interim? I can't imagine they will be ready to hire a permanent superintendent by then.
Yes, I expect her to be and there to be a new permanent superintendent by the end of the month.
This process has been ongoing for quite some time and I expect news before the end of the month if not sooner.
Anonymous wrote:ModeratelyMoco wrote:Anonymous wrote:The BOE released an update on its superintendent search: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2023-2024/BOE-Update-20240531.html
As many of you are aware, the state of Maryland requires county school superintendent appointments to be finalized by July 1. Now that we are moving into June, you may be wondering if the search for MCPS’ next superintendent is on track.
The Board is pleased to report that it is. A number of qualified applicants are being interviewed. In addition to interviews, the Board reviews supporting information such as professional references, background checks, and more.
A decision this important must be made thoughtfully. Therefore, if more time is needed beyond the July 1 deadline, an interim superintendent will be appointed.
The Board anticipates an announcement regarding the status of the search soon. We ask the public to continue to be patient and respect candidates’ right to privacy during this critical stage of the process.
In the announcement they made it clear they feel confident about hiring a permanent supe by July 1. But, even in the event that they didn't, also made it clear that a new interim would be named and not that Dr. Felder would continue in her role.
Moderately MoCo took it further and said according to his sources, that Dr. Felder was told not to apply for the permanent position:
Appreciate the post. Not sure why the haters continually rail on our coverage that has proven to be true time and again.
Keep an eye out for updates on this soon
Looking forward to the updates on Dr. Felder. I really think she's been a major bust. Which is 2 strikes on this board. I have little confidence their third hire will be better, even though we desperately need it to be.
From what I am hearing, they are doing their due diligence this time and interviewing some quality candidates. Hoping that their pick ends up being good but only time will tell.
Have heard Felder may be looking to go back to NC somewhere but that is more of a rumor than anything at this point so take it with a grain of salt.
Anonymous wrote:The BOE released an update on its superintendent search: https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2023-2024/BOE-Update-20240531.html
As many of you are aware, the state of Maryland requires county school superintendent appointments to be finalized by July 1. Now that we are moving into June, you may be wondering if the search for MCPS’ next superintendent is on track.
The Board is pleased to report that it is. A number of qualified applicants are being interviewed. In addition to interviews, the Board reviews supporting information such as professional references, background checks, and more.
A decision this important must be made thoughtfully. Therefore, if more time is needed beyond the July 1 deadline, an interim superintendent will be appointed.
The Board anticipates an announcement regarding the status of the search soon. We ask the public to continue to be patient and respect candidates’ right to privacy during this critical stage of the process.
In the announcement they made it clear they feel confident about hiring a permanent supe by July 1. But, even in the event that they didn't, also made it clear that a new interim would be named and not that Dr. Felder would continue in her role.
Moderately MoCo took it further and said according to his sources, that Dr. Felder was told not to apply for the permanent position:
Appreciate the post. Not sure why the haters continually rail on our coverage that has proven to be true time and again.
Keep an eye out for updates on this soon
https://moderatelymoco.com/opinion-vanishing-acts-in-mcps-a-tale-of-leadership-lost-and-found/
March 10, 2024 – Anonymous Op-ed
What does MCPS have in common with the old Soviet Union? Both were or are good at “disappearing” top staff. The USSR was famous for air-brushing the disfavored out of photographs or even paintings. MCPS simply wipes their names from the organizational chart with a quick internal email.
But just as the earlier iterations of those annual Soviet May Day parade photos remained, the magic of the Internet saves the earlier MCPS office configurations. Currently, the Office of School Support and Well-Being is a prime candidate for the same sleuthing skills that kept USSR-Kremlin watchers employed for years. For those unfamiliar with OSSWB, it’s one of the most important parts of the MCPS organizational chart.
Background
The Office of School Support and Well-Being is arguably the most essential staffing arm inside Central Office: it is the division that supervises all 216 schools and their principals and admin teams within MCPS. It is the one division with a daily, hands-on role in the lives of teachers, students, staff, and administrators. Every school problem – including fighting on campus — comes to OSSWB. (In the OSSWB office, the Associate Superintendent for Clarksburg HS has allegedly said that CHS cannot suspend any more students because the school’s suspension numbers are already too high. Moderately MOCO asked MCPS about this and has not yet received a response but will update if we do)
Every principal selection works through OSSWB – it was a major part of the Joel Beidleman fiasco. It is the office with which PTA and PTSA leaders are directed by MCCPTA to engage when there are issues at their schools – and it is also what parents write to when they have problems that are not being solved at the school level.
On the school supervision side, OSSWB is organized with a chief, three Associate Superintendents (among whom the 216 schools are divided, meaning each Associate Superintendent is responsible for more than 52,000 students), and nine Directors (ten are listed on the current website), divided among each Associate Superintendent. The Directors are the “direct” supervisors of school principals. By the raw numbers, each Director has more than 17,000 students under their purview. (The Associate Superintendent of Well-Being, Learning, and Achievement is also housed here – that office picks up among its charges behavioral health, restorative justice, extracurriculars, and attendance).
In other words, OSSWB is a big deal and has a major mandate inside MCPS. So, major staff churn is concerning – especially since it is a very small staff relative to its responsibilities.
These positions also end up being amongst the highest paid positions in MCPS which you can tell from a quick glance from this piece from 2023 with MCPS highest paid in 2022.
https://moco360.media/2023/02/07/top-20-highest-paid-mcps-employees-of-2022/
What’s happened in the last year at OSSWB?
In February 2023, before the Beidleman scandal broke, the then-OSSWB Chief Ruschelle Reuben was listed in a five-way tie for fifth highest paid staff member in MCPS, earning $226,244, along with the likes of Chief of Strategic Initiatives Stephanie Sheron, who oversees MCPS’s tech systems and acquisitions, and then-Chief of Staff Brian Stockton. At some point, Reuben disappeared. She’s currently listed online as “Director of Education & Workforce Skills Training for Correctional Institutions” on the Maryland Department of Labor website for the state of Maryland. This is not a common career trajectory for elite MCPS leadership.
In mid-October, then-Superintendent Monifa McKnight brought in Dr. LaVerne G. Kimball to serve as acting chief in OSSWB, adding that Dr. Kimball served MCPS for 37 years and retired in 2018 as an associate superintendent of elementary schools. Kimball left around the time McKnight did (late January 2024) – and significantly after MoCo360 reported that Kimball “may be one of the MCPS employees responsible for the rise of Joel Beidleman. Kimball was the community superintendent who oversaw the schools at which McKnight, Beidleman, Chief of Districtwide Services and Supports Dana Edwards (more on Edwards here https://moderatelymoco.com/return-amidst-controversy-navigating-the-reinstatement-of-dana-edwards-to-mcps-chief-of-districtwide-services-and-support/) and Chief of Strategic Initiatives Stephanie Sheron were administrators in the early 2010s. In that supervisory position, Kimball would have played a role in recommending Beidleman for promotion three times.”
In February, OSSWB listed no chief and the following personnel on its homepage: Dr. Peter Moran, Associate Superintendent, Team 1; Ms. Lance Dempsey, Acting Associate Superintendent, Team 2; Mr. David Adams, Acting Associate Superintendent, Team 3; and Damon Monteleone, Associate Superintendent for Well-Being, Learning, and Achievement.
Edwards returned in February per our reporting (https://moderatelymoco.com/return-amidst-controversy-navigating-the-reinstatement-of-dana-edwards-to-mcps-chief-of-districtwide-services-and-support/) only to go back on extended leave from February 14, 2024 through March 25, 2024 according to an email obtained by Moderately MOCO.
Latest Musical Chairs
It’s March, and the org chart has changed again. Lance Dempsey, who, according to reporting by both MoCo360 and Moderately MOCO, was repeatedly accused of bullying in her previous roles (https://moco360.media/2024/02/01/principals-administrators-depart-as-mcps-faces-cronyism-accountability-concerns/), is gone and moved to “special assistant to the Office of the Deputy Superintendent” according to the memo to staff obtained by The MoCoShow. (https://mocoshow.com/2024/03/07/interim-mcps-superintendent-dr-monique-felder-provides-leadership-personnel-update-to-principals-and-staff/) This position “will provide support to the Office of School Support and Well-Being as well as the Office of the Chief Academic Officer”
Peter Moran is now the acting chief of OSSWB. (This is either a fast track to a promotion for Dr. Moran, who was appointed Associate Superintendent in June 2022, or, given the trajectory of the last year, the equivalent of being fired from a cannon and out of the MCPS system.)
Sean McGee, formerly a director in the office, is now an Acting Associate Superintendent; David Adams is still an Acting Associate Superintendent, and in another surprise, Donna Redmond Jones, who was placed on administrative leave last fall and has been identified in news outlets as part of the Beidleman supervisory/promotional chain of command, has quietly returned to her Associate Superintendent role. Additionally, Damon Monteleone is now off the public-facing OSSWB organizational list, although he still has his current role.
If this level of churn gives MCPS observers whiplash, imagine being a principal in need of actual support and living through this MCPS version of musical chairs. Or being a PTA leader trying to work with this office. Or a parent writing with a serious problem. Not to mention the total lack of transparency in one of the most essential Central Office staffing roles.
MCPS Responds to Questions
Here is the MCPS answer to Moderately MOCO regarding these staffing changes: “The few changes just made are acting, and those positions are posted. Two messages were sent to all staff to communicate these acting positions.” One of these messages to staff was published on Sunday 3/10/24 by The MoCo Show (https://mocoshow.com/2024/03/07/interim-mcps-superintendent-dr-monique-felder-provides-leadership-personnel-update-to-principals-and-staff/ as previously mentioned). Aside from reading like a side word salad, the fact is that OSSWB has had three heads in the last 12 months, with two actings; and 2/3 of the current Associate Superintendents are “Acting” – and the only permanent one was placed on administrative leave apparently for her role in the Joel Beidleman promotion scandal. It’s only possible to define them as a “few changes” because there are only a few positions to begin with. Nor is any of this a confidence builder for anyone seeking transparency from MCPS. The BOE wants to appoint a new superintendent by June. Maybe they should be asking what is happening inside the system now.
March 10, 2024 – Anonymous Op-ed
What does MCPS have in common with the old Soviet Union? Both were or are good at “disappearing” top staff. The USSR was famous for air-brushing the disfavored out of photographs or even paintings. MCPS simply wipes their names from the organizational chart with a quick internal email.
But just as the earlier iterations of those annual Soviet May Day parade photos remained, the magic of the Internet saves the earlier MCPS office configurations. Currently, the Office of School Support and Well-Being is a prime candidate for the same sleuthing skills that kept USSR-Kremlin watchers employed for years. For those unfamiliar with OSSWB, it’s one of the most important parts of the MCPS organizational chart.
Background
The Office of School Support and Well-Being is arguably the most essential staffing arm inside Central Office: it is the division that supervises all 216 schools and their principals and admin teams within MCPS. It is the one division with a daily, hands-on role in the lives of teachers, students, staff, and administrators. Every school problem – including fighting on campus — comes to OSSWB. (In the OSSWB office, the Associate Superintendent for Clarksburg HS has allegedly said that CHS cannot suspend any more students because the school’s suspension numbers are already too high. Moderately MOCO asked MCPS about this and has not yet received a response but will update if we do)
Every principal selection works through OSSWB – it was a major part of the Joel Beidleman fiasco. It is the office with which PTA and PTSA leaders are directed by MCCPTA to engage when there are issues at their schools – and it is also what parents write to when they have problems that are not being solved at the school level.
On the school supervision side, OSSWB is organized with a chief, three Associate Superintendents (among whom the 216 schools are divided, meaning each Associate Superintendent is responsible for more than 52,000 students), and nine Directors (ten are listed on the current website), divided among each Associate Superintendent. The Directors are the “direct” supervisors of school principals. By the raw numbers, each Director has more than 17,000 students under their purview. (The Associate Superintendent of Well-Being, Learning, and Achievement is also housed here – that office picks up among its charges behavioral health, restorative justice, extracurriculars, and attendance).
In other words, OSSWB is a big deal and has a major mandate inside MCPS. So, major staff churn is concerning – especially since it is a very small staff relative to its responsibilities.
These positions also end up being amongst the highest paid positions in MCPS which you can tell from a quick glance from this piece from 2023 with MCPS highest paid in 2022.
https://moco360.media/2023/02/07/top-20-highest-paid-mcps-employees-of-2022/
What’s happened in the last year at OSSWB?
In February 2023, before the Beidleman scandal broke, the then-OSSWB Chief Ruschelle Reuben was listed in a five-way tie for fifth highest paid staff member in MCPS, earning $226,244, along with the likes of Chief of Strategic Initiatives Stephanie Sheron, who oversees MCPS’s tech systems and acquisitions, and then-Chief of Staff Brian Stockton. At some point, Reuben disappeared. She’s currently listed online as “Director of Education & Workforce Skills Training for Correctional Institutions” on the Maryland Department of Labor website for the state of Maryland. This is not a common career trajectory for elite MCPS leadership.
In mid-October, then-Superintendent Monifa McKnight brought in Dr. LaVerne G. Kimball to serve as acting chief in OSSWB, adding that Dr. Kimball served MCPS for 37 years and retired in 2018 as an associate superintendent of elementary schools. Kimball left around the time McKnight did (late January 2024) – and significantly after MoCo360 reported that Kimball “may be one of the MCPS employees responsible for the rise of Joel Beidleman. Kimball was the community superintendent who oversaw the schools at which McKnight, Beidleman, Chief of Districtwide Services and Supports Dana Edwards (more on Edwards here https://moderatelymoco.com/return-amidst-controversy-navigating-the-reinstatement-of-dana-edwards-to-mcps-chief-of-districtwide-services-and-support/) and Chief of Strategic Initiatives Stephanie Sheron were administrators in the early 2010s. In that supervisory position, Kimball would have played a role in recommending Beidleman for promotion three times.”
In February, OSSWB listed no chief and the following personnel on its homepage: Dr. Peter Moran, Associate Superintendent, Team 1; Ms. Lance Dempsey, Acting Associate Superintendent, Team 2; Mr. David Adams, Acting Associate Superintendent, Team 3; and Damon Monteleone, Associate Superintendent for Well-Being, Learning, and Achievement.
Edwards returned in February per our reporting (https://moderatelymoco.com/return-amidst-controversy-navigating-the-reinstatement-of-dana-edwards-to-mcps-chief-of-districtwide-services-and-support/) only to go back on extended leave from February 14, 2024 through March 25, 2024 according to an email obtained by Moderately MOCO.
Latest Musical Chairs
It’s March, and the org chart has changed again. Lance Dempsey, who, according to reporting by both MoCo360 and Moderately MOCO, was repeatedly accused of bullying in her previous roles (https://moco360.media/2024/02/01/principals-administrators-depart-as-mcps-faces-cronyism-accountability-concerns/), is gone and moved to “special assistant to the Office of the Deputy Superintendent” according to the memo to staff obtained by The MoCoShow. (https://mocoshow.com/2024/03/07/interim-mcps-superintendent-dr-monique-felder-provides-leadership-personnel-update-to-principals-and-staff/) This position “will provide support to the Office of School Support and Well-Being as well as the Office of the Chief Academic Officer”
Peter Moran is now the acting chief of OSSWB. (This is either a fast track to a promotion for Dr. Moran, who was appointed Associate Superintendent in June 2022, or, given the trajectory of the last year, the equivalent of being fired from a cannon and out of the MCPS system.)
Sean McGee, formerly a director in the office, is now an Acting Associate Superintendent; David Adams is still an Acting Associate Superintendent, and in another surprise, Donna Redmond Jones, who was placed on administrative leave last fall and has been identified in news outlets as part of the Beidleman supervisory/promotional chain of command, has quietly returned to her Associate Superintendent role. Additionally, Damon Monteleone is now off the public-facing OSSWB organizational list, although he still has his current role.
If this level of churn gives MCPS observers whiplash, imagine being a principal in need of actual support and living through this MCPS version of musical chairs. Or being a PTA leader trying to work with this office. Or a parent writing with a serious problem. Not to mention the total lack of transparency in one of the most essential Central Office staffing roles.
MCPS Responds to Questions
Here is the MCPS answer to Moderately MOCO regarding these staffing changes: “The few changes just made are acting, and those positions are posted. Two messages were sent to all staff to communicate these acting positions.” One of these messages to staff was published on Sunday 3/10/24 by The MoCo Show (https://mocoshow.com/2024/03/07/interim-mcps-superintendent-dr-monique-felder-provides-leadership-personnel-update-to-principals-and-staff/ as previously mentioned). Aside from reading like a side word salad, the fact is that OSSWB has had three heads in the last 12 months, with two actings; and 2/3 of the current Associate Superintendents are “Acting” – and the only permanent one was placed on administrative leave apparently for her role in the Joel Beidleman promotion scandal. It’s only possible to define them as a “few changes” because there are only a few positions to begin with. Nor is any of this a confidence builder for anyone seeking transparency from MCPS. The BOE wants to appoint a new superintendent by June. Maybe they should be asking what is happening inside the system now.
https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-per-pupil-expenditure-by-each-high-school-2020-2022/
Background and Source Data
The state of Maryland reports on per-pupil expenditures Maryland reports on per-pupil expenditures and defines them as follows:
“School-level per-pupil expenditures are local education agency (LEA) operating expenditures directly attributed to schools or allocated to schools based on certain criteria and reported as a per-pupil or per-student amount. The school-level per-pupil data can vary across LEAs and within LEAs due to many factors, including the number of students enrolled in the school, specific school-based programs, and the experience level of staff at the school.”
MCPS high schools were analyzed for per-pupil expenditures for the school years:
• 2019-2020 (designated 2020)
• 2020-2021 (designated 2021)
• 2021-2022 (designated 2022)
These are the three most recent years with data available on the MSDE website.
Results and Conclusions
Table 1 shows a comprehensive comparison of schools for 2020, 2021, and 2022. The state/local and the federal contributions vary between schools and between years. The total amount ranged from a low of $12,680 for Bethesda-Chevy Chase High in 2020 to a high of $18,914 for Rockville High in 2021. There is generally about a $5000 difference between the highest and lowest expenditures for individual schools each year (~$13K to ~18K).
Table 1. MCPS per-pupil expenditures by high school (alphabetical) for 2020, 2021, and 2022
Table 2 shows 2020 per-pupil expenditures from highest to lowest amounts. The three schools with the highest funds were Seneca Valley ($18,059), Rockville ($17,640), and Watkins Mill ($17,561).
The three schools with the lowest funds were Bethesda-Chevy Chase ($12,680), Walter Johnson ($13,269), and Richard Montgomery ($13,493).
Table 2. MCPS per-pupil expenditures by high school (high to low) for 2020
Table 3 shows 2021 per-pupil expenditures from highest to lowest amounts. The three schools with the highest dollars were Rockville ($18,914), Seneca Valley ($18,663), and Watkins Mill ($17,918).
The three schools with the lowest dollars were Bethesda-Chevy Chase ($13,771), Walter Johnson ($14,036), and Northwest ($14,316).
Table 3. MCPS per-pupil expenditures by high school (high to low) for 2021
Table 4 shows 2022 per-pupil expenditures from highest to lowest amounts. The three schools with the highest money were Rockville ($18,585), Kennedy ($17,927), and Gaithersburg ($17,702).
The three schools with the lowest money were Walter Johnson ($13,691), Bethesda-Chevy Chase ($13,850), and Poolesville ($14,406).
Table 4. MCPS per-pupil expenditures by high school (high to low) for 2022
Table 5 shows the percent change in per-pupil expenditure for 2020 vs 2022. The three schools with the largest percent change increase were Sherwood (14%), Magruder (12%), and Gaithersburg (11%).
Seneca Valley was the only school that had a decrease (-7%). The three schools with the smallest percent change increase were Watkins Mill (0%), Wheaton (2%), Poolesville (2%).
Table 5. MCPS per-pupil expenditure percent change by high school from 2020 to 2022
Per-pupil expenditures generally increased over time except for Seneca Valley. The expenditures vary between schools and over time. For example, Poolesville had the 9th lowest funding in 2020 and the 3rd lowest funding in 2022.
There was some consistency. Rockville remained in the top 2 for funding each of the three years. Walter Johnson and Bethesda-Chevy Chase remained in the bottom 2 for funding each of the three years.
Background and Source Data
The state of Maryland reports on per-pupil expenditures Maryland reports on per-pupil expenditures and defines them as follows:
“School-level per-pupil expenditures are local education agency (LEA) operating expenditures directly attributed to schools or allocated to schools based on certain criteria and reported as a per-pupil or per-student amount. The school-level per-pupil data can vary across LEAs and within LEAs due to many factors, including the number of students enrolled in the school, specific school-based programs, and the experience level of staff at the school.”
MCPS high schools were analyzed for per-pupil expenditures for the school years:
• 2019-2020 (designated 2020)
• 2020-2021 (designated 2021)
• 2021-2022 (designated 2022)
These are the three most recent years with data available on the MSDE website.
Results and Conclusions
Table 1 shows a comprehensive comparison of schools for 2020, 2021, and 2022. The state/local and the federal contributions vary between schools and between years. The total amount ranged from a low of $12,680 for Bethesda-Chevy Chase High in 2020 to a high of $18,914 for Rockville High in 2021. There is generally about a $5000 difference between the highest and lowest expenditures for individual schools each year (~$13K to ~18K).
Table 1. MCPS per-pupil expenditures by high school (alphabetical) for 2020, 2021, and 2022
Table 2 shows 2020 per-pupil expenditures from highest to lowest amounts. The three schools with the highest funds were Seneca Valley ($18,059), Rockville ($17,640), and Watkins Mill ($17,561).
The three schools with the lowest funds were Bethesda-Chevy Chase ($12,680), Walter Johnson ($13,269), and Richard Montgomery ($13,493).
Table 2. MCPS per-pupil expenditures by high school (high to low) for 2020
Table 3 shows 2021 per-pupil expenditures from highest to lowest amounts. The three schools with the highest dollars were Rockville ($18,914), Seneca Valley ($18,663), and Watkins Mill ($17,918).
The three schools with the lowest dollars were Bethesda-Chevy Chase ($13,771), Walter Johnson ($14,036), and Northwest ($14,316).
Table 3. MCPS per-pupil expenditures by high school (high to low) for 2021
Table 4 shows 2022 per-pupil expenditures from highest to lowest amounts. The three schools with the highest money were Rockville ($18,585), Kennedy ($17,927), and Gaithersburg ($17,702).
The three schools with the lowest money were Walter Johnson ($13,691), Bethesda-Chevy Chase ($13,850), and Poolesville ($14,406).
Table 4. MCPS per-pupil expenditures by high school (high to low) for 2022
Table 5 shows the percent change in per-pupil expenditure for 2020 vs 2022. The three schools with the largest percent change increase were Sherwood (14%), Magruder (12%), and Gaithersburg (11%).
Seneca Valley was the only school that had a decrease (-7%). The three schools with the smallest percent change increase were Watkins Mill (0%), Wheaton (2%), Poolesville (2%).
Table 5. MCPS per-pupil expenditure percent change by high school from 2020 to 2022
Per-pupil expenditures generally increased over time except for Seneca Valley. The expenditures vary between schools and over time. For example, Poolesville had the 9th lowest funding in 2020 and the 3rd lowest funding in 2022.
There was some consistency. Rockville remained in the top 2 for funding each of the three years. Walter Johnson and Bethesda-Chevy Chase remained in the bottom 2 for funding each of the three years.