Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree they need more parents on the Board. I think that would be helpful.

This will only happen if candidates who are current MCPS parents run for MCPS BoE.

If you know somebody who would be a good candidate, suggest it to them!

+1 Grab that parent who has terrific organizational and finance skills and a strong ethical compass and ask them to run.

Anonymous wrote:I agree they need more parents on the Board. I think that would be helpful.

This will only happen if candidates who are current MCPS parents run for MCPS BoE.

If you know somebody who would be a good candidate, suggest it to them!

Jill Ortman-Fouse (At-large): Past PTA President. She has one student in MCPS high school and one MCPS graduate. [Plugs herconsulting business in her official bio, so Durso's statement that no one on the current Board works doesn't seem accurate.]

https://sites.google.com/site/fouseteamconsulting/home

Consulting is flexible, with many slow periods. So she can adjust as necessary.

“Probably a lot of people don’t have that kind of flexibility where they can be out and about during the workday,” Durso said. Nobody on the current board works according to Durso.

Our current BOE composition:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/members/

Three MCPS retirees, and some parents of current or former MCPS students...

President: Michael Durso (District 5): He has served more than 44 years in education, including 13 years with Montgomery County Public Schools as principal of Springbrook High School.

Vice President: Shebra L. Evans (District 4): She has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles with the Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) and has two children who attend MCPS.

Jeanette Dixon (At large): In 2013, Ms. Dixon retired from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) after a 30-year career as a teacher (Social Studies) and principal (White Oak Middle School 1997-2001 and Paint Branch High School 2001-2013).

Judith Docca (District 1): She began her career as a Spanish and French teacher, and later served as a human relations coordinator, assistant principal at Montgomery Blair High School, and principal at Argyle Middle School.

Patricia O'Neill (District 3): She is currently serving her fifth four-year term on the Board. She has served as both president and vice president five times. She has two daughters who are graduates of MCPS.

Jill Ortman-Fouse (At-large): Past PTA President. She has one student in MCPS high school and one MCPS graduate. [Plugs her consulting business in her official bio, so Durso's statement that no one on the current Board works doesn't seem accurate.]

Rebecca Smondrowski (District 2): Prior to joining the Board, Mrs. Smondrowski served as the legislative aide for Maryland State Senator Roger Manno and was an active local and county PTA leader.Mrs. Smondrowski is married with two children, an MCPS graduate and one currently attending the Montgomery County Public Schools. [I remember her from this story:
http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2014/Montgomery-County-Board-of-Education-Member-Spent-Nearly-900-on-Hotel-Room-in-DC/

I agree they need more parents on the Board. I think that would be helpful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there a salary?

an older article but one that answers the question - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/montgomery-delegates-propose-salary-boost-for-board-of-education-members/2013/01/02/3799931c-552d-11e2-bf3e-76c0a789346f_story.html?utm_term=.28c9396cb683

The Montgomery County Board of Education could receive salary increases for the first time in more than a decade if Maryland lawmakers approve the ­raises in the coming legislative session.

A bill proposed by Dels. Charles E. Barkley (D-Montgomery) and Brian J. Feldman (D-Montgomery) would raise the annual salaries by $6,500. The board president’s pay would increase from $22,500 to $29,000, and the pay of other board members would go from $18,500 to $25,000.

Some of the officers on my schools' PTA board put in 20-30 hours a week volunteering on events and stuff. They should run for the BOE and have the power to actually change things. There aren't enough parents with kids in MCPS on the Board (if I remember correctly there are more MCPS retirees.)

Anonymous wrote:Link to file your nomination?

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/PressReleases2018/CandidateFilingBegins.html

The Board of Elections notes that candidate filings for the 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election are scheduled to begin Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. and continue through the last week in February 2018. Individuals interested in running for the following Montgomery County offices – County Executive, County Council, State’s Attorney, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Register of Wills, Sheriff, the Montgomery County Board of Education (Districts 1, 3, 5, and At-Large), Republican Central Committee, or Democratic Central Committee - may file a Certificate of Candidacy with the Montgomery County Board of Elections at 18753 N. Frederick Avenue, Suite 210, in Gaithersburg. Candidates for all other offices on the 2018 Primary ballot should contact the Maryland State Board of Elections for deadlines and filing locations.

It should be noted that all individuals filing a Certificate of Candidacy with the Montgomery County Board of Elections for the contests listed above must submit, at the time of filing, a financial disclosure statement covering the prior year; and, in the case of County Executive and County Council contests, the disclosure must cover the prior year and the current year up to the date of filing the candidate’s Certificate of Candidacy.

The Montgomery County Board of Elections is open from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To arrange an appointment, please contact Christine Rzeszut at 240-777-8585.

Contact: Marjorie Roher, 240-777-8625

Link to file your nomination?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The article states, “Sartucci, however, does not believe, people are shying away from running for the board because of time commitments. She contends repeated incidents of sexual abuse in the school system have people to avoid serving on the board.”

WOW! Quite the assumption to make. Amazing that person’s opinion was actually newsworthy.

WMAL could have asked how many candidates aligned with her have been elected to the BoE.

Are parents in favor or their DS or DD being sexually abused at school?

Anonymous wrote:The article states, “Sartucci, however, does not believe, people are shying away from running for the board because of time commitments. She contends repeated incidents of sexual abuse in the school system have people to avoid serving on the board.”

WOW! Quite the assumption to make. Amazing that person’s opinion was actually newsworthy.

WMAL could have asked how many candidates aligned with her have been elected to the BoE.

Anonymous wrote:Is there a salary?

an older article but one that answers the question - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/montgomery-delegates-propose-salary-boost-for-board-of-education-members/2013/01/02/3799931c-552d-11e2-bf3e-76c0a789346f_story.html?utm_term=.28c9396cb683

The Montgomery County Board of Education could receive salary increases for the first time in more than a decade if Maryland lawmakers approve the ­raises in the coming legislative session.

A bill proposed by Dels. Charles E. Barkley (D-Montgomery) and Brian J. Feldman (D-Montgomery) would raise the annual salaries by $6,500. The board president’s pay would increase from $22,500 to $29,000, and the pay of other board members would go from $18,500 to $25,000.

Is there a salary?

The article states, “Sartucci, however, does not believe, people are shying away from running for the board because of time commitments. She contends repeated incidents of sexual abuse in the school system have people to avoid serving on the board.”

WOW! Quite the assumption to make. Amazing that person’s opinion was actually newsworthy.

Hey, all you complainers on DCUM! Now's your chance to actually do something about your complaints (or, possibly, to find out that it's harder to solve the problems than a person sitting on the sidelines typing their complaints into a screen might think).

b/c "seats" aren't exactly selling out quickly

http://www.wmal.com/2018/02/09/moco-parents-group-says-nobodys-interested-in-running-for-board-of-education/?platform=hootsuite

aimed at people with a flexible schedule who don't work, as it consumes one's time

bottom line - It's a job, not a hobby.