Anonymous
08/16/2019 08:30
Subject: Jack Smith yeah or nay?
I like that he is from MD and seems to want to stay here, rather than just using it as a stepping stone to a bigger metropolitan area.
New curriculum - great. Expanding "gifted and talented" classes in more individual schools - great. Expanding magnet offerings at the HS level - great. These are things I care about, and my kids (who are going into 10th and 8th) would have really benefited from had they been implemented a couple of years earlier. I'm also supportive of the new boundary study.
New curriculum - great. Expanding "gifted and talented" classes in more individual schools - great. Expanding magnet offerings at the HS level - great. These are things I care about, and my kids (who are going into 10th and 8th) would have really benefited from had they been implemented a couple of years earlier. I'm also supportive of the new boundary study.
Anonymous
08/16/2019 07:57
Subject: Re:Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I like Jack Smith, he is a centrist. I also like that he has come from HCPS so he is a bit familiar with the region. He is personable and counts for a lot--he isn't pompous. While I don't like the recent scandals that have happened with the sexual assaults. I do think that he is working hard to steer in system in the correct direction. I do not want to see another person in the role, high turnover leads to the mess that is DCPS. I don't want to leave one mess to sit in another transient and high turnover school district.
Wrong Jack Smith. He did not come from HCPS.
Smith came from Calvert County, which has four high schools. I imagine it’s been a big adjustment for him.
Yes, but from Calvert he went first to the MD state education dept for 3 years, and then to MoCo.
Anonymous
08/16/2019 02:20
Subject: Re:Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I like Jack Smith, he is a centrist. I also like that he has come from HCPS so he is a bit familiar with the region. He is personable and counts for a lot--he isn't pompous. While I don't like the recent scandals that have happened with the sexual assaults. I do think that he is working hard to steer in system in the correct direction. I do not want to see another person in the role, high turnover leads to the mess that is DCPS. I don't want to leave one mess to sit in another transient and high turnover school district.
Wrong Jack Smith. He did not come from HCPS.
Smith came from Calvert County, which has four high schools. I imagine it’s been a big adjustment for him.
Anonymous
08/16/2019 00:42
Subject: Re:Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:I like Jack Smith, he is a centrist. I also like that he has come from HCPS so he is a bit familiar with the region. He is personable and counts for a lot--he isn't pompous. While I don't like the recent scandals that have happened with the sexual assaults. I do think that he is working hard to steer in system in the correct direction. I do not want to see another person in the role, high turnover leads to the mess that is DCPS. I don't want to leave one mess to sit in another transient and high turnover school district.
Wrong Jack Smith. He did not come from HCPS.
Anonymous
08/15/2019 14:53
Subject: Re:Jack Smith yeah or nay?
I like Jack Smith, he is a centrist. I also like that he has come from HCPS so he is a bit familiar with the region. He is personable and counts for a lot--he isn't pompous. While I don't like the recent scandals that have happened with the sexual assaults. I do think that he is working hard to steer in system in the correct direction. I do not want to see another person in the role, high turnover leads to the mess that is DCPS. I don't want to leave one mess to sit in another transient and high turnover school district.
Anonymous
08/15/2019 13:25
Subject: Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:MCPS staff would say BYE Jack!
Speak for yourself. That’s not my position and not an opinion I hear other teachers express.
Agree. I’m an MCPS teacher, and I say renew.
Why?
Because it’s only been 3 years and I don’t think that’s enough time to change the world. I’ve worked at a school where we had a series of quick admin turnovers. It brought instability to the whole school and affected everyone’s performance. Regime change is hard enough and we just did it three years ago. I’m not saying I love the guy, or even like him, but in my opinion, another term is better than going through the process of getting someone new (right now—as another PP said, after another term, I might be ready for someone new).
But I really liked Josh Starr, so what do I know? Remember how terrible he was, with his book club and social emotional learning and wanting kids to spend more time writing?
I liked Starr too. He didn't have enough time to do what he needed to do. I'm inclined to say we run the risk of making the same mistake if we don't renew Smith. He has the right values but feels discouraged and tired. I don't think he wants to return. But if he does, I think we need to stay the course for five minutes.
Anonymous
08/15/2019 13:22
Subject: Re:Jack Smith yeah or nay?
I really like him, personally. Would work for him 100%. He’s all about ability and achievement and doesn’t give two f**s about fancy credentials or seniority (authority, yes. Seniority, no).
I don’t have a kid in the schools though and haven’t watched the classroom impact closely.
I don’t have a kid in the schools though and haven’t watched the classroom impact closely.
Anonymous
08/15/2019 13:19
Subject: Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:MCPS staff would say BYE Jack!
Speak for yourself. That’s not my position and not an opinion I hear other teachers express.
Agree. I’m an MCPS teacher, and I say renew.
Why?
He got rid of some Central Office bloat. He responds to staff concerns instead of dismissing them as the griping of the lazy or disgruntled. He isn’t afraid of poor kids, those who are black and brown, or ones who are just learning English or have disabilities. He isn’t afraid of wealthy white and Asian parents either. The last is particularly refreshing if you have ever taught in W clusters.
Anonymous
08/15/2019 11:53
Subject: Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:MCPS staff would say BYE Jack!
Speak for yourself. That’s not my position and not an opinion I hear other teachers express.
Agree. I’m an MCPS teacher, and I say renew.
Why?
Because it’s only been 3 years and I don’t think that’s enough time to change the world. I’ve worked at a school where we had a series of quick admin turnovers. It brought instability to the whole school and affected everyone’s performance. Regime change is hard enough and we just did it three years ago. I’m not saying I love the guy, or even like him, but in my opinion, another term is better than going through the process of getting someone new (right now—as another PP said, after another term, I might be ready for someone new).
But I really liked Josh Starr, so what do I know? Remember how terrible he was, with his book club and social emotional learning and wanting kids to spend more time writing?
And keeping John Vigna in the classroom to sexually abuse more little girls. Starr was great. Left with multiple lawsuits filed and massive payouts. Exactly what he did in Stamford.
Anonymous
08/15/2019 11:34
Subject: Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:And what exactly has Smith accomplished?
Opportunity gap? Wide as ever. Overcrowding? Getting worse. Central Office? Cut some positions, but added more back in. Special Education? Cuts everywhere.
I say NAY.
He also has a huge chip on his shoulder; constantly bringing up his hard and tough middle class childhood and how he wants to level the field for the bottom.
I think this says more about you, describing this as "a huge chip on his shoulder," than it says about him.
Anonymous
08/15/2019 11:31
Subject: Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:MCPS staff would say BYE Jack!
Speak for yourself. That’s not my position and not an opinion I hear other teachers express.
Agree. I’m an MCPS teacher, and I say renew.
Why?
Because it’s only been 3 years and I don’t think that’s enough time to change the world. I’ve worked at a school where we had a series of quick admin turnovers. It brought instability to the whole school and affected everyone’s performance. Regime change is hard enough and we just did it three years ago. I’m not saying I love the guy, or even like him, but in my opinion, another term is better than going through the process of getting someone new (right now—as another PP said, after another term, I might be ready for someone new).
But I really liked Josh Starr, so what do I know? Remember how terrible he was, with his book club and social emotional learning and wanting kids to spend more time writing?
Anonymous
08/15/2019 11:25
Subject: Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:My opinions only: He’s a dud.
I wish they could find someone who is committed to the community and willing to put in the long work over many years to see improvement.
Weast was all about making himself look good.
Starr was a wannabe Weast.
Larry Bowers just wanted a boost for retirement income.
Smith just coasting along into retirement.
Agreed
Anonymous
08/15/2019 11:03
Subject: Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:And what exactly has Smith accomplished?
Opportunity gap? Wide as ever. Overcrowding? Getting worse. Central Office? Cut some positions, but added more back in. Special Education? Cuts everywhere.
I say NAY.
He also has a huge chip on his shoulder; constantly bringing up his hard and tough middle class childhood and how he wants to level the field for the bottom.
Anonymous
08/15/2019 09:58
Subject: Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:MCPS staff would say BYE Jack!
Speak for yourself. That’s not my position and not an opinion I hear other teachers express.
Agree. I’m an MCPS teacher, and I say renew.
Why?
Anonymous
08/15/2019 09:48
Subject: Re:Jack Smith yeah or nay?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Look at all the pushback from “the community” over MCPS trying to build a new ES in Gaithersburg to relieve overcrowding.
The pushback is because they want to take away park space, not because they want to build a school. All this insane building, we need MORE green, open space, more areas for kids to play, not 100 foot "pocket parks" the Planning Board is pushing.
And yes, Smith IS responsible for overcrowding. He makes the recommendations in the CIP.
Those saying 3 years isn't enough time for big changes, fine. What has he done in 3 years that you think is good?
This is a conversation for the other thread, but the school would use only a portion of the park, and the kids have ample areas to play. I know, we live there. Its just a classic NIMBY case.
Looks like that to me too.
https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/proposed-gaithersburg-elementary-school-faces-opposition-at-meeting-monday/