Anonymous wrote:So… what’s the update? Who is still being cut, after the straw vote?

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the biggest categories are:

- Media assistants
- College and career navigators
- Social workers
- English composition assistants
- Pupil personnel workers
- EML therapeutic counselors
- Family engagement specialists
- Special education resource teachers
- Staff development teachers
- And 220 middle school teachers

Total of 850 employees being laid off

I like our SDT as a person, but she doesn’t do anything to help with instruction itself. Instead she just runs mandated trainings and assists with testing. She is often absent for her own or family illness. As a chronically ill person myself, I am sympathetic, but she doesn’t do anything when present. At most, she will provide Google links.

My prior SDT was really hands on. When I wanted to try a new technique, she modeled it with my kids, did it along side me, and then observed while I did it so she could give me feedback.

My SDT is the same. She facilitates poorly planned meetings and sends out lots of AI generated emails, but never develops staff. SDT in middle school is kind of a scam.

There are also Central Office staff who manage the SDTs. So wasteful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the biggest categories are:

- Media assistants
- College and career navigators
- Social workers
- English composition assistants
- Pupil personnel workers
- EML therapeutic counselors
- Family engagement specialists
- Special education resource teachers
- Staff development teachers
- And 220 middle school teachers

Total of 850 employees being laid off

I like our SDT as a person, but she doesn’t do anything to help with instruction itself. Instead she just runs mandated trainings and assists with testing. She is often absent for her own or family illness. As a chronically ill person myself, I am sympathetic, but she doesn’t do anything when present. At most, she will provide Google links.

My prior SDT was really hands on. When I wanted to try a new technique, she modeled it with my kids, did it along side me, and then observed while I did it so she could give me feedback.

My SDT is the same. She facilitates poorly planned meetings and sends out lots of AI generated emails, but never develops staff. SDT in middle school is kind of a scam.

There are also Central Office staff who manage the SDTs. So wasteful.

Yup. In my opinion SDT's (MS/HS level) should be cut before media assistants. They mainly seem to exist to facilitate monthly staff meetings that are often canceled anyway. They also take away from planning time by delivering AI-generated professional development that doesn’t feel meaningful or relevant, and instead adds extra work like bs reflections and other requirements that don’t seem to provide real value.

Yes, SDTs before Media Assistants and ECAs. The SDT role is unique to MCPS because every other districts seems to know its bs so they don’t waste their money. The Media Assistants essentially run the Media Center that has hundreds of users daily while the Media specialist supports classes doing research. Our ECA runs workshops every other week and supports students during lunch as well as supporting students during class time. I’ve had several students who needed heavy support with writing and I couldn’t have given them level of attention they needed on my own. These two roles are essential to the daily functioning of our HS. Taylor is making a big mistake eliminating their jobs. I hope he reconsiders.

SDTs teach .4 , if they are cut, I hope everyone realizes that will push teachers will less seniority out or to part time as we will need to give them back their .6 contractually.

I see zero evidence that our SDT teaches 0.4.

That would be two classes.

She doesn’t appear on the master schedule and ours even lists paras.

When she runs trainings, she does them all periods except during her lunch.

If she’s teaching two classes, it should be transparent which two.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the biggest categories are:

- Media assistants
- College and career navigators
- Social workers
- English composition assistants
- Pupil personnel workers
- EML therapeutic counselors
- Family engagement specialists
- Special education resource teachers
- Staff development teachers
- And 220 middle school teachers

Total of 850 employees being laid off

I like our SDT as a person, but she doesn’t do anything to help with instruction itself. Instead she just runs mandated trainings and assists with testing. She is often absent for her own or family illness. As a chronically ill person myself, I am sympathetic, but she doesn’t do anything when present. At most, she will provide Google links.

My prior SDT was really hands on. When I wanted to try a new technique, she modeled it with my kids, did it along side me, and then observed while I did it so she could give me feedback.

My SDT is the same. She facilitates poorly planned meetings and sends out lots of AI generated emails, but never develops staff. SDT in middle school is kind of a scam.

There are also Central Office staff who manage the SDTs. So wasteful.

Yup. In my opinion SDT's (MS/HS level) should be cut before media assistants. They mainly seem to exist to facilitate monthly staff meetings that are often canceled anyway. They also take away from planning time by delivering AI-generated professional development that doesn’t feel meaningful or relevant, and instead adds extra work like bs reflections and other requirements that don’t seem to provide real value.

Yes, SDTs before Media Assistants and ECAs. The SDT role is unique to MCPS because every other districts seems to know its bs so they don’t waste their money. The Media Assistants essentially run the Media Center that has hundreds of users daily while the Media specialist supports classes doing research. Our ECA runs workshops every other week and supports students during lunch as well as supporting students during class time. I’ve had several students who needed heavy support with writing and I couldn’t have given them level of attention they needed on my own. These two roles are essential to the daily functioning of our HS. Taylor is making a big mistake eliminating their jobs. I hope he reconsiders.

SDTs teach .4 , if they are cut, I hope everyone realizes that will push teachers will less seniority out or to part time as we will need to give them back their .6 contractually.

Anonymous wrote:I had an equity specialist too as a coach. She just sat there when kids acted disrespectful, cussing, throwing chairs etc. Sat there with a stupid look on her face taking notes---about how bad the teacher was. Many teachers were fired in that chaotic year---she is a principal now. Lol.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the biggest categories are:

- Media assistants
- College and career navigators
- Social workers
- English composition assistants
- Pupil personnel workers
- EML therapeutic counselors
- Family engagement specialists
- Special education resource teachers
- Staff development teachers
- And 220 middle school teachers

Total of 850 employees being laid off

I like our SDT as a person, but she doesn’t do anything to help with instruction itself. Instead she just runs mandated trainings and assists with testing. She is often absent for her own or family illness. As a chronically ill person myself, I am sympathetic, but she doesn’t do anything when present. At most, she will provide Google links.

My prior SDT was really hands on. When I wanted to try a new technique, she modeled it with my kids, did it along side me, and then observed while I did it so she could give me feedback.

My SDT is the same. She facilitates poorly planned meetings and sends out lots of AI generated emails, but never develops staff. SDT in middle school is kind of a scam.

There are also Central Office staff who manage the SDTs. So wasteful.

Yup. In my opinion SDT's (MS/HS level) should be cut before media assistants. They mainly seem to exist to facilitate monthly staff meetings that are often canceled anyway. They also take away from planning time by delivering AI-generated professional development that doesn’t feel meaningful or relevant, and instead adds extra work like bs reflections and other requirements that don’t seem to provide real value.

Yes, SDTs before Media Assistants and ECAs. The SDT role is unique to MCPS because every other districts seems to know its bs so they don’t waste their money. The Media Assistants essentially run the Media Center that has hundreds of users daily while the Media specialist supports classes doing research. Our ECA runs workshops every other week and supports students during lunch as well as supporting students during class time. I’ve had several students who needed heavy support with writing and I couldn’t have given them level of attention they needed on my own. These two roles are essential to the daily functioning of our HS. Taylor is making a big mistake eliminating their jobs. I hope he reconsiders.

SDTs teach .4 , if they are cut, I hope everyone realizes that will push teachers will less seniority out or to part time as we will need to give them back their .6 contractually.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the biggest categories are:

- Media assistants
- College and career navigators
- Social workers
- English composition assistants
- Pupil personnel workers
- EML therapeutic counselors
- Family engagement specialists
- Special education resource teachers
- Staff development teachers
- And 220 middle school teachers

Total of 850 employees being laid off

I like our SDT as a person, but she doesn’t do anything to help with instruction itself. Instead she just runs mandated trainings and assists with testing. She is often absent for her own or family illness. As a chronically ill person myself, I am sympathetic, but she doesn’t do anything when present. At most, she will provide Google links.

My prior SDT was really hands on. When I wanted to try a new technique, she modeled it with my kids, did it along side me, and then observed while I did it so she could give me feedback.

My SDT is the same. She facilitates poorly planned meetings and sends out lots of AI generated emails, but never develops staff. SDT in middle school is kind of a scam.

There are also Central Office staff who manage the SDTs. So wasteful.

Yup. In my opinion SDT's (MS/HS level) should be cut before media assistants. They mainly seem to exist to facilitate monthly staff meetings that are often canceled anyway. They also take away from planning time by delivering AI-generated professional development that doesn’t feel meaningful or relevant, and instead adds extra work like bs reflections and other requirements that don’t seem to provide real value.

Yes, SDTs before Media Assistants and ECAs. The SDT role is unique to MCPS because every other districts seems to know its bs so they don’t waste their money. The Media Assistants essentially run the Media Center that has hundreds of users daily while the Media specialist supports classes doing research. Our ECA runs workshops every other week and supports students during lunch as well as supporting students during class time. I’ve had several students who needed heavy support with writing and I couldn’t have given them level of attention they needed on my own. These two roles are essential to the daily functioning of our HS. Taylor is making a big mistake eliminating their jobs. I hope he reconsiders.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the biggest categories are:

- Media assistants
- College and career navigators
- Social workers
- English composition assistants
- Pupil personnel workers
- EML therapeutic counselors
- Family engagement specialists
- Special education resource teachers
- Staff development teachers
- And 220 middle school teachers

Total of 850 employees being laid off

I like our SDT as a person, but she doesn’t do anything to help with instruction itself. Instead she just runs mandated trainings and assists with testing. She is often absent for her own or family illness. As a chronically ill person myself, I am sympathetic, but she doesn’t do anything when present. At most, she will provide Google links.

My prior SDT was really hands on. When I wanted to try a new technique, she modeled it with my kids, did it along side me, and then observed while I did it so she could give me feedback.

My SDT is the same. She facilitates poorly planned meetings and sends out lots of AI generated emails, but never develops staff. SDT in middle school is kind of a scam.

There are also Central Office staff who manage the SDTs. So wasteful.

Yup. In my opinion SDT's (MS/HS level) should be cut before media assistants. They mainly seem to exist to facilitate monthly staff meetings that are often canceled anyway. They also take away from planning time by delivering AI-generated professional development that doesn’t feel meaningful or relevant, and instead adds extra work like bs reflections and other requirements that don’t seem to provide real value.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's pretty much public: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OA8HANnsPlM7-xyvfma4H_0nRLQRYaKo/view

Thanks so much for sharing. And it will probably be worse than this, because this list only goes up to $90M in cuts but it looks like Council is planning on cutting $108M.

$180M

It could theoretically be up to $180M, but Council staff has recommended cutting "only" $108M so that is probably the ceiling. This document covers how MCPS would absorb $90M in cuts (laying off 850 staff plus cutting everyone's COLAs) but they would need to do more to cover an $108M cut.

It's not a cut. MCPS will get an increased budget next year despite decreasing enrollment.

Ah, you're one of those pedants who pretends that inflation doesn't exist, I take it? Yes, technically it is not a cut in straight dollars. But practically speaking, it is a very large cut.

Inflation is ~3.5% and the budget is increasing by ~5.5%. If you adjust for inflation, as you suggested, the budget is still larger.

Most of us are not getting raises at all let alone colas so these extra taxes will hurt us for those not higher income. A lot of my neighbors at some point plan to leave as $6-7 in property taxes alone for a crummy little house is not worth it or affordable.

Maryland is slowly going the way of CA and NY. High income earners are leaving or not coming to MD because many roles are remote. My company has numerous executives who fly in and stay at hotels during the week, then go home Thursday night. They negotiated this as part of their packages.

Anonymous wrote:[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the biggest categories are:

- Media assistants
- College and career navigators
- Social workers
- English composition assistants
- Pupil personnel workers
- EML therapeutic counselors
- Family engagement specialists
- Special education resource teachers
- Staff development teachers
- And 220 middle school teachers

Total of 850 employees being laid off

I like our SDT as a person, but she doesn’t do anything to help with instruction itself. Instead she just runs mandated trainings and assists with testing. She is often absent for her own or family illness. As a chronically ill person myself, I am sympathetic, but she doesn’t do anything when present. At most, she will provide Google links.

My prior SDT was really hands on. When I wanted to try a new technique, she modeled it with my kids, did it along side me, and then observed while I did it so she could give me feedback.

My SDT is the same. She facilitates poorly planned meetings and sends out lots of AI generated emails, but never develops staff. SDT in middle school is kind of a scam.

There are also Central Office staff who manage the SDTs. So wasteful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's pretty much public: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OA8HANnsPlM7-xyvfma4H_0nRLQRYaKo/view

Thanks so much for sharing. And it will probably be worse than this, because this list only goes up to $90M in cuts but it looks like Council is planning on cutting $108M.

$180M

It could theoretically be up to $180M, but Council staff has recommended cutting "only" $108M so that is probably the ceiling. This document covers how MCPS would absorb $90M in cuts (laying off 850 staff plus cutting everyone's COLAs) but they would need to do more to cover an $108M cut.

It's not a cut. MCPS will get an increased budget next year despite decreasing enrollment.

Ah, you're one of those pedants who pretends that inflation doesn't exist, I take it? Yes, technically it is not a cut in straight dollars. But practically speaking, it is a very large cut.

Inflation is ~3.5% and the budget is increasing by ~5.5%. If you adjust for inflation, as you suggested, the budget is still larger.

Most of us are not getting raises at all let alone colas so these extra taxes will hurt us for those not higher income. A lot of my neighbors at some point plan to leave as $6-7 in property taxes alone for a crummy little house is not worth it or affordable.

Maryland is slowly going the way of CA and NY. High income earners are leaving or not coming to MD because many roles are remote. My company has numerous executives who fly in and stay at hotels during the week, then go home Thursday night. They negotiated this as part of their packages.