This started out with FCPS telling BB to apologize and grovel and take the blame.

As the School Board is getting to the details, we are finding out that FCPS/IT is really at fault. They didn't explain to the teachers to not use "guest" sign in. They didn't have the server capacity. They didn't connect the class list with the class. They didn't update the BB systems for years. They didn't test the system (although part of that is BB's fault).

Basically, this was FCPS/IT screwing it up.

Anonymous wrote:Maribeth says Instructional Services were responsible for the training.

Wow. Circular firing squad.

I’m a teacher in another local district who wanted to give FCPS the benefit of the doubt they were taking their time to do it right but the finger pointing is crazy! It’s Blackboard... no, Brabrand, no... teachers! The school board and Brabrand make the decisions. The buck stops with them. The rest of the county has to go by their directives. If things are messed up there’s no way it doesn’t fall on those two shoulders.

Anonymous wrote:Braband and Luftglas(sp?) both need to go. NOW. They had one job.

Go where?

What good would firing Brabrand now do?

What are you thinking?

Anonymous wrote:NOW -- BB guy is throwing FCPS/IT back in the fire!

FCPS/IT hasn't updated their BB account in 2 years! FCPS/IT calls the shots on when to do updates and they didn't do it for the last two summers.

BB is done grovelling.... they are putting it on FCPS/IT.

FCPS/IT: maybe we should have done a test of the system.

It's both pieces fault. School doesn't want to spend money. BB didn't make it clear.

Anonymous wrote:NOW -- BB guy is throwing FCPS/IT back in the fire!

FCPS/IT hasn't updated their BB account in 2 years! FCPS/IT calls the shots on when to do updates and they didn't do it for the last two summers.

BB is done grovelling.... they are putting it on FCPS/IT.

FCPS/IT: maybe we should have done a test of the system.

Okay, BB. So when you did your load modeling (read guessing), you didn't think about this then...

This vendor is awful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Laura is defending FCPS and blaming Blackboard. I think they are both to blame. Laura is going after Blackboard.

Problem is: FCPS hired Blackboard. This is FCPS responsibility. Laura does not understand that. Blackboard should be cut, but so should FCPS staff.

I think she is talking more to school-based staff. She's my member, and I contacted her yesterday to discuss problems at school-level. I found out about the canceling of virtual learning after parents did and then I found out that I'm supposed to be reaching out to each 150 kids individually to get missing and late work and do school-based training.

Definitely she's talking about the Teachers and Students at FCPS not Gatehouse.

Maribeth says Instructional Services were responsible for the training.

Wow. Circular firing squad.

Braband and Luftglas(sp?) both need to go. NOW. They had one job.

NOW -- BB guy is throwing FCPS/IT back in the fire!

FCPS/IT hasn't updated their BB account in 2 years! FCPS/IT calls the shots on when to do updates and they didn't do it for the last two summers.

BB is done grovelling.... they are putting it on FCPS/IT.

FCPS/IT: maybe we should have done a test of the system.

Anonymous wrote:Who is SBTS?

School Based Technology Specialist

Anonymous wrote:Laura is defending FCPS and blaming Blackboard. I think they are both to blame. Laura is going after Blackboard.

Problem is: FCPS hired Blackboard. This is FCPS responsibility. Laura does not understand that. Blackboard should be cut, but so should FCPS staff.

I think she is talking more to school-based staff. She's my member, and I contacted her yesterday to discuss problems at school-level. I found out about the canceling of virtual learning after parents did and then I found out that I'm supposed to be reaching out to each 150 kids individually to get missing and late work and do school-based training.

From Laura Jane School Board member currently speaking:

I try to be a pretty transparent person.

I’ve shared my successes and failures here and I’m always appreciative of your feedback, even when it’s hard to hear. It’s real and sometimes pretty raw and I hear the passion, and even when you’re mad at me, I’m glad you’re communicating with me.

So, in return, I’ll be raw and real with you.

I’m beyond disappointed.

Our SBTS, TSpecs, teachers, and administrators have busted their asses to get ready for this. We have told parents and kids to be patient because we were going to take the time to get it right. Your school board members asked about security concerns and were repeatedly told things were under control.

And yesterday, the smiling faces of students, teachers, and parents made it feel like the wait was worth it.

And then during the night, everything changed. With no input from the Board, suddenly there was chaos. A 2 hour delay for a “security update” became a cancellation. And the “fix” seems like it will tax a clearly already over burdened system that has failed 3 days in a row and is fraught with pitfalls for some of our most vulnerable kids.

I’ve been on the phone all day with teachers, SBTS, parents, and admins, some of whom were in tears. And my normal Pollyanna self cannot find the words of comfort I am seeking because I don’t have faith that we are going to get it right tomorrow or the day after.

My job as a School Board Member is to be a conduit between you and FCPS. To ensure that the decisions they make with our tax dollars make sense and support our students and incredible staff. I truly believe I have advocated in every way possible for something that provides our kids the best chance to stay engaged during this pandemic. To say I am disappointed in the outcome and how this was handled doesn’t begin to cover it.

What happened today does not value all the hard work that so many of you put into making this happen.

I am beyond sorry for that and I don’t know what to say.

We have a board meeting tomorrow and Blackboard is the first thing on the agenda. I’m hopeful to have more answers for you after that. I’m hopeful that the plan to move forward will give our kids and teachers what they so desperately need and deserve, a connection to one another. Something to hold onto in the middle of this madness going on in our world.

Can the school board fire Brabrand in this meeting?

Who is SBTS?

Laura Jane Cohen is right. SBTS shouldn't be thrown under the bus. They were in meetings till midnight sometimes arguing over how unrealistic this is.