Anonymous
06/08/2022 17:25
Subject: Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Anonymous wrote:We need more board members like Elnoubi and Booz - at least members who are willing to hold the board to account and voice their own opinions.
Elnoubi sure.
Booz is the blind squirrel who finds a nut every now and again. She's deeply engrained in the establishment and while she may not agree with this particular edict by Hutchings she's with him on everything else. I can't believe she got elected again. She did nothing when she was on the board before and actively worked to keep schools closed. Wasn't she particularly popular with the Open ACPS crowd?
And remember every single one of these board members were silent when it was revealed the previous board covered up the Minnie Howard rape.
Anonymous
06/08/2022 16:57
Subject: Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Anonymous wrote:We need more board members like Elnoubi and Booz - at least members who are willing to hold the board to account and voice their own opinions.
+1. I'm embarrassed by my district board members.
Anonymous
06/08/2022 15:25
Subject: Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
We need more board members like Elnoubi and Booz - at least members who are willing to hold the board to account and voice their own opinions.
Anonymous
06/08/2022 15:17
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Now Emperor Hutchings is trying to take further action to silence individual board members and avoid oversight: https://www.alxnow.com/2022/06/08/behind-closed-doors-alexandria-school-board-proposes-peer-pressure-procedure-when-talking-to-media/
Anonymous
06/08/2022 14:31
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Returning to the original question of this thread...ACPS was sensitive to constructive criticism before Hutchings. Some parents liked to pretend that things were great when they weren't. But one didn't fear for their reputation if they questioned the status quo on even benign issues.
But there was a shift when Hutchings returned to ACPS. PTAC and their followers got increasingly vicious as did the school board (Cindy Anderson the former chair was really awful to parents who spoke out or just asked polite questions).
Here's a snapshot of Greg's time in Shaker Heights from a WaPo article:
Educators supported the goal, but some were put off by Hutchings.
“It was clear to the staff that he was blaming us for the gaps,” said Sarah Davis, a white social studies teacher at the high school who started a summer program called Bridges to help black kids prepare to take AP classes. She said what Hutchings billed as a listening tour with staff felt more like a “lecture tour.”
One teacher who complained about Hutchings’s leadership was Podl, the AP English teacher. They clashed over his decision to push out the high school principal, and she says he once called her into his office because her “body language” at a community meeting was “inappropriate.”
After Hutchings chose a new principal over the candidate Podl and many faculty members preferred, she was at a tense meeting between Hutchings and teachers. Podl said she must have reacted to something someone said because Hutchings “screamed, ‘Don’t you roll your eyes at me! That’s disrespectful.’ ”
“I was a little bit of a marked person” after that, she said. “For Greg, he just wanted people to agree with him, and if you didn’t agree with him, you weren’t on his side.”
and this is how he closed out his time in Shaker Heights:
"At his final school board meeting last year, Hutchings took a swipe at his critics, urging the board and others to ignore parents who complain. "Most of my time is spent dealing with the ignorance that comes from adults," he said.
But there was a shift when Hutchings returned to ACPS. PTAC and their followers got increasingly vicious as did the school board (Cindy Anderson the former chair was really awful to parents who spoke out or just asked polite questions).
Here's a snapshot of Greg's time in Shaker Heights from a WaPo article:
Educators supported the goal, but some were put off by Hutchings.
“It was clear to the staff that he was blaming us for the gaps,” said Sarah Davis, a white social studies teacher at the high school who started a summer program called Bridges to help black kids prepare to take AP classes. She said what Hutchings billed as a listening tour with staff felt more like a “lecture tour.”
One teacher who complained about Hutchings’s leadership was Podl, the AP English teacher. They clashed over his decision to push out the high school principal, and she says he once called her into his office because her “body language” at a community meeting was “inappropriate.”
After Hutchings chose a new principal over the candidate Podl and many faculty members preferred, she was at a tense meeting between Hutchings and teachers. Podl said she must have reacted to something someone said because Hutchings “screamed, ‘Don’t you roll your eyes at me! That’s disrespectful.’ ”
“I was a little bit of a marked person” after that, she said. “For Greg, he just wanted people to agree with him, and if you didn’t agree with him, you weren’t on his side.”
and this is how he closed out his time in Shaker Heights:
"At his final school board meeting last year, Hutchings took a swipe at his critics, urging the board and others to ignore parents who complain. "Most of my time is spent dealing with the ignorance that comes from adults," he said.
Anonymous
06/08/2022 08:46
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Activists use the school board and school related issues for their political gain. There's no one looking to actually fix the school system in a practical way
The Board clerk for the June 2 meeting sent warnings to parents to not speak on anything but ESSER funds at the meeting, and then the same SB passed a resolution on gun violence at the same meeting. One of the school board members in their bio touts their democrat party work. The only thing transparent about ACPS and the SB is they are a political machine.
Political machine? I think you are giving this weak school board members a little too much credit.
Also - use of the term “democrat party” is a give away for political agenda of the poster. That being said, I don’t know if ACPS is fixable since there seems to be a lack of political will for viable change candidates to either run or win.
Not the PP but why is it a problem to use that term?
I wonder if Hutchings and Alderton take their road show to their children's private schools? Can you imagine being so self-assured and untouchable that you are the Superintendent and School Board chair of a school district that you know is so bad, you choose to send your kids to private school? But, his contract was re-upped and she was re-elected, so that comfort, I guess, is warranted.
The political party’s name is Democratic Party but GOP/FoxNews types like to say “democrat” to disparage. It’s a winking-nodding dog-whistle term, kind of like “woke.” It’s used intentionally but then they play dumb about it.
Ooooohhhh democrat is a wink nod dog whistle term. OK.
Ms. Green touts her role in the "young democrats," and this is why criticism and voices to improve get lost in the cross-talk. The point is, touting ones work with a political party - either Democratic or Republican - in an official bio for a non-partisan position is off-putting, albeit transparent.
You have no arguments from me questioning Ms. Greene. I do think her priorities are either: (1) promoting her standing in the Democratic Party or (2) looking after some small subset of students she views as “her students” including ACHS athletes.
Is she still on her church speaking tour with Alderton and Hutchings? Hmmm...maybe she can get a cut of Hutchings book profits since that's what they are out promoting.
Anonymous
06/08/2022 08:39
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Activists use the school board and school related issues for their political gain. There's no one looking to actually fix the school system in a practical way
The Board clerk for the June 2 meeting sent warnings to parents to not speak on anything but ESSER funds at the meeting, and then the same SB passed a resolution on gun violence at the same meeting. One of the school board members in their bio touts their democrat party work. The only thing transparent about ACPS and the SB is they are a political machine.
Political machine? I think you are giving this weak school board members a little too much credit.
Also - use of the term “democrat party” is a give away for political agenda of the poster. That being said, I don’t know if ACPS is fixable since there seems to be a lack of political will for viable change candidates to either run or win.
Not the PP but why is it a problem to use that term?
The political party’s name is Democratic Party but GOP/FoxNews types like to say “democrat” to disparage. It’s a winking-nodding dog-whistle term, kind of like “woke.” It’s used intentionally but then they play dumb about it.
Ooooohhhh democrat is a wink nod dog whistle term. OK.
Ms. Green touts her role in the "young democrats," and this is why criticism and voices to improve get lost in the cross-talk. The point is, touting ones work with a political party - either Democratic or Republican - in an official bio for a non-partisan position is off-putting, albeit transparent.
You have no arguments from me questioning Ms. Greene. I do think her priorities are either: (1) promoting her standing in the Democratic Party or (2) looking after some small subset of students she views as “her students” including ACHS athletes.
Is she still on her church speaking tour with Alderton and Hutchings? Hmmm...maybe she can get a cut of Hutchings book profits since that's what they are out promoting.
Anonymous
06/07/2022 15:38
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
WRT pandemic recovery funds, WSJ reported in May that 93% of funds nationally had not yet been spent. So may be unfair to ding ACPS alone on that.
Anonymous
06/07/2022 12:34
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Activists use the school board and school related issues for their political gain. There's no one looking to actually fix the school system in a practical way
The Board clerk for the June 2 meeting sent warnings to parents to not speak on anything but ESSER funds at the meeting, and then the same SB passed a resolution on gun violence at the same meeting. One of the school board members in their bio touts their democrat party work. The only thing transparent about ACPS and the SB is they are a political machine.
Political machine? I think you are giving this weak school board members a little too much credit.
Also - use of the term “democrat party” is a give away for political agenda of the poster. That being said, I don’t know if ACPS is fixable since there seems to be a lack of political will for viable change candidates to either run or win.
Not the PP but why is it a problem to use that term?
The political party’s name is Democratic Party but GOP/FoxNews types like to say “democrat” to disparage. It’s a winking-nodding dog-whistle term, kind of like “woke.” It’s used intentionally but then they play dumb about it.
Ooooohhhh democrat is a wink nod dog whistle term. OK.
Ms. Green touts her role in the "young democrats," and this is why criticism and voices to improve get lost in the cross-talk. The point is, touting ones work with a political party - either Democratic or Republican - in an official bio for a non-partisan position is off-putting, albeit transparent.
You have no arguments from me questioning Ms. Greene. I do think her priorities are either: (1) promoting her standing in the Democratic Party or (2) looking after some small subset of students she views as “her students” including ACHS athletes.
Anonymous
06/07/2022 12:19
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Activists use the school board and school related issues for their political gain. There's no one looking to actually fix the school system in a practical way
The Board clerk for the June 2 meeting sent warnings to parents to not speak on anything but ESSER funds at the meeting, and then the same SB passed a resolution on gun violence at the same meeting. One of the school board members in their bio touts their democrat party work. The only thing transparent about ACPS and the SB is they are a political machine.
Political machine? I think you are giving this weak school board members a little too much credit.
Also - use of the term “democrat party” is a give away for political agenda of the poster. That being said, I don’t know if ACPS is fixable since there seems to be a lack of political will for viable change candidates to either run or win.
Not the PP but why is it a problem to use that term?
The political party’s name is Democratic Party but GOP/FoxNews types like to say “democrat” to disparage. It’s a winking-nodding dog-whistle term, kind of like “woke.” It’s used intentionally but then they play dumb about it.
OK, so how is that different from you using "GOP/FoxNews types"? Didn't you use that intentionally?
Anonymous
06/07/2022 12:04
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Anonymous wrote:It’s easy to criticize from the cheap seats when you have no clue what really goes into making the changes you want.
There have actually been MANY productive, creative, equitable, thought-provoking suggestions to improve the schools from parents who actually have kids in the schools (cheap seats…wtf?), but this school board, this superintendent, and ACPS staff aren’t there to hear them. I have never in my life heard so much hedging, avoiding blame, making excuses, and explaining why we can’t do something other school districts do as I heard, firsthand, from Hutchings, Mozingo and Terry Werner, especially during “Virtual +”. We have never, ever considered ourselves to be private school material, but we are sitting here on the West End in our modest middle class home, looking at how we are going to manage private school for two once they hit middle school (and we would do elementary if we could afford it).
Anonymous
06/07/2022 10:32
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Activists use the school board and school related issues for their political gain. There's no one looking to actually fix the school system in a practical way
The Board clerk for the June 2 meeting sent warnings to parents to not speak on anything but ESSER funds at the meeting, and then the same SB passed a resolution on gun violence at the same meeting. One of the school board members in their bio touts their democrat party work. The only thing transparent about ACPS and the SB is they are a political machine.
Political machine? I think you are giving this weak school board members a little too much credit.
Also - use of the term “democrat party” is a give away for political agenda of the poster. That being said, I don’t know if ACPS is fixable since there seems to be a lack of political will for viable change candidates to either run or win.
Not the PP but why is it a problem to use that term?
The political party’s name is Democratic Party but GOP/FoxNews types like to say “democrat” to disparage. It’s a winking-nodding dog-whistle term, kind of like “woke.” It’s used intentionally but then they play dumb about it.
Ooooohhhh democrat is a wink nod dog whistle term. OK.
Ms. Green touts her role in the "young democrats," and this is why criticism and voices to improve get lost in the cross-talk. The point is, touting ones work with a political party - either Democratic or Republican - in an official bio for a non-partisan position is off-putting, albeit transparent.
Anonymous
06/07/2022 10:17
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
There are some relatively simple things that would go along way. For example, communication with parents. In ES, ACPS could implement a communication standard for teachers i.e. a calendar of tests, an regular email about what is generally happening in the classroom. A standard for grades would be helpful too. the 1-4 system doesn't work because every one of our teachers has had a different standard. An expectation that graded school work, tests go home at the end of the week. All very simple things to get moving that would make a huge difference.
But it would be very difficult to shift the general ACPS attitude of harshly quieting dissent. The superintendent would need to lead the way. But stories from central office staff/principals have been circulating about his activities in that regard.
But it would be very difficult to shift the general ACPS attitude of harshly quieting dissent. The superintendent would need to lead the way. But stories from central office staff/principals have been circulating about his activities in that regard.
Anonymous
06/07/2022 10:07
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Activists use the school board and school related issues for their political gain. There's no one looking to actually fix the school system in a practical way
The Board clerk for the June 2 meeting sent warnings to parents to not speak on anything but ESSER funds at the meeting, and then the same SB passed a resolution on gun violence at the same meeting. One of the school board members in their bio touts their democrat party work. The only thing transparent about ACPS and the SB is they are a political machine.
Political machine? I think you are giving this weak school board members a little too much credit.
Also - use of the term “democrat party” is a give away for political agenda of the poster. That being said, I don’t know if ACPS is fixable since there seems to be a lack of political will for viable change candidates to either run or win.
Not the PP but why is it a problem to use that term?
School Board members are supposed to run as non-partisian. But many of them posted pictures at Democratic party fundraisers with state wide candidates during the campaign. Some took donations and inkind donations (website and fundraising help) from Act Blue and other democratic entities. And if a school board is supposed to be nonpartians - it's perfectly appropriate to point out that touting democratic party work in their school board bio is inappropriate. If it's ok for the school board members to be obvious and highlight their political agendas...why is it giving away a political agenda to point that out?
But I do think you are correct, ACPS is not fixable because viable change candidates are not acceptable to Alexandrians.
I was only pointing out the use of the term “democrat party” which is a type of dog whistle as noted above. On your general point, I do agree with you that: (1) school board elections are supposed to be non-partisan, (2) the focus of the school members should be what is best for the school system and not promoting any political party’s agenda, and (3) to the extent school board members / candidates have the connection with the Democratic Party (and related organizations that you note above), I share a concern that certain members may be more focused on improving their status in the Democratic Party rather than do what is best for Alexandria’s children.
The problem is it is hard for consensus to develop among those opposed to the status quo. For me, for example, I think equity is an important goal. I just do not think Hutchings has any idea what that term really means and that it starts with taking steps of improving instructional approaches in the system to address systematic discrepancies that put certain groups of students behind.
Anonymous
06/07/2022 09:57
Subject: Re:Why is ACPS so sensitive to any constructive criticism?
It’s easy to criticize from the cheap seats when you have no clue what really goes into making the changes you want.