July 1, 2010 will mark the end of Dr. Robert M. Tomback’s first year on the job as the superintendent of Harford County Public Schools. How’s he doing so far?
To be fair, Dr. Tomback faced harsh economic realities over the past year and any assessment of his performance should take that into account. At the same time, the decisions Tomback made under the circumstances; the way decisions were communicated; and his response to actions taken by staff under his supervision, are all a reflection of Tomback’s leadership as much as the initiatives he also set in motion.
With that in mind, the following is a brief chronology of the superintendent’s first year, offered to facilitate a public review of this very public role. I’ve limited the list to events and actions on the public record, and to those that affected the entire school system. Readers are welcome to add to the list.
“I Can’t Be Jackie Haas.”
Invoking the late superintendent whom he replaced, Dr. Tomback said at the outset that he wasn’t going to be like his predecessor. For better or for worse, that quickly became apparent.
Obama Live
President Barack Obama’s national back-to-school message was not broadcast live in HCPS as the President had intended, but recorded and shown to students a few days later. HCPS lacked the capacity to show a live speech and the delay allowed for more meaningful instruction, Tomback later said. But mixed signals from HCPS before the live speech, brought an angry crowd to the boardroom and prompted charges of racism against the school system from the school board’s vice-president, Dr. Leonard Wheeler.
Student Advisors
Assembling student representatives from Harford’s public middle and high schools, one of the new superintendent’s first initiatives was to solicit input from a key constituency – the students. Dr. Tomback met with his Student Advisory Council to get their take on things throughout the school year.
Tax Cut Kibosh
When the Harford County Council considered a repeal of the impact fee (the fee is used to build, renovate and maintain school facilities), Tomback pushed back by recommending that the school board oppose the repeal. The county council later approved a reduction in the fee, rather than outright elimination.
Where Credit is Due
Correcting a long-standing inequity, Dr. Tomback said that middle school students who take and pass high school level courses (like Algebra I), should get high school credit. Tomback’s pronouncement came in response to a committee recommendation, but the superintendent gave the idea legs, calling for implementation plans to move forward.
Salary Surprise
A 2% salary cut for all employees was buried in line-items scattered throughout Dr. Tomback’s 500-page budget proposal for next year, with no mention from the superintendent. Tomback later said that the line-items were placeholders, since salaries are subject to collective bargaining. But without a heads up from the superintendent, employees were blindsided when the cuts were uncovered by The Dagger, adding to employee anger over the superintendent’s decision to propose cuts in the first place. Money later added to the budget by Harford County Executive David Craig and approved by the county council, combined with budget adjustments from HCPS, restored the amount needed to reverse the line-item cuts.
http://www.daggerpress.com/2010/01/05/proposed-budget-would-cut-hcps-salaries-by-two-percent-in2011/
E-Mail Block
Representing teachers, the Harford County Education Association filed a grievance with the superintendent after President Randy Cerveny’s e-mail account was shut down by HCPS for alleged violations of the negotiated agreement. Cerveny had been sending messages rallying teachers to budget hearings and Cerveny said he tried to resolve the dispute directly with Tomback before filing the grievance. After some negotiation the grievance was dropped and Cerveny’s e-mail account was restored.
http://www.daggerpress.com/2010/02/24/9393/
Drama Therapy Drama
An edgy drama/therapy program presented to all Havre de Grace High School students, without parental consent, prompted complaints from parents and set off a firestorm that spread to Annapolis. HCPS first responded with a vague, jargon-laden plan leading to a complaint to the Maryland Department of Education. The state contacted HCPS, but handed the matter back as a local issue. HCPS later came up with a checklist for oversight of future school assemblies.
Citing employees’ right to free speech, the superintendent declined to respond to Facebook postings targeting the parents who first complained, and written by one of the HCPS teachers involved in Drama Therapy.
Legislators bristled when Dr. Tomback wouldn’t provide a DVD of Drama Therapy without a formal Maryland Public Information Act request. The superintendent was called to Annapolis and got an earful about what Delegate Dan Riley called “putting up little road blocks” with the elected officials who advocate for school funding from the state and answer to constituents back home. Tomback stood by his demand for an MPIA request and wouldn’t comment on personnel, but finally acknowledged that mistakes had been made with Drama Therapy.
Race To The Top
Joining in Maryland’s bid for a share of billions in federal school funding known as Race to the Top, Tomback signed the Memorandum of Understanding needed to bolster the state’s application.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Web Sites
Avoiding a potential lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union, the school system lifted a ban on student access to informational Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Web sites. Tomback had his staff present the reason for the decision at a board meeting where the public was poised to vent on both sides. Public opinion remained divided, but at least everyone was operating from the same set of facts.
Healthcare Pains
Without negotiation or clear communication from HCPS, the school system made changes to the healthcare plan for next year that will hike up costs for school employees. Hundreds turned out at school board meetings to protest; some were angry, some asked for negotiation, and some worried over gut-wrenching personal health problems. The school board promised to negotiate healthcare benefits next year, but Tomback’s lack of engagement was called out by one protestor, another called for his resignation.
http://www.daggerpress.com/2010/05/25/hcps-employees-protest-changes-to-health-care-plan/
Management Shake-up
Dr. Tomback redesigned the org chart, saying it would save $186,000; and created and filled two high level positions. William A. Lawrence, a colleague from Tomback’s days at Baltimore County Public Schools, was named the Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, meaning he will be Tomback’s number two on the instructional side of HCPS. Barbara Canavan, a successful principal at Southampton Middle School was elevated to oversee Harford County’s nine public middle schools, bringing new attention to those crucial, in-between years.
Grading Incomplete
Tomback sidelined a proposed grading policy that was on the fast track for implementation in next school year. The plan was in the works before Tomback came to Harford County, and had been tweaked along the way, but it continued to draw criticism from parents, teachers and students. Tomback pulled the plug for now and handed the proposal off to Lawrence for review.
http://www.daggerpress.com/2009/02/18/public-grades-harford-school-grading-proposals/
Of course, the above list is only the public side of the story. Inside the walls of the HCPS administration building, in 53 public schools, and in the wider community, the other side of the story unfolded this past year.
It’s up to the members of the Harford County Board of Education to sum it all up, factor in the learning curve of any first year on the job, and come up with a final assessment that will be measured, in part, in dollar terms. Per Dr. Tomback’s contract, he is eligible to receive a bonus of up to of 10% of his salary, or $19,000, based on parameters proposed by Tomback himself, and approved the board.
I think we will start to see the downfall of HCPS. I think there is little respect and trust given to the teachers of Harford County by our new Superintendent. I feel he doesn’t truly value the people who are fighting the battle on the front line.
Why would one want to be a teacher if one can’t support a family with the level of pay? Then add the increase with health costs? The pain in having to move to a HMO? The future of not receiving pay raises (You know it is coming)? Taking burdens of retirement, which is coming, means less take home pay and less ability to support a family? Also, there is no way the pay scale is keeping up with simple inflation. In all, teachers get more and more put on them, yet get paid less and less.
I am tired and this is only a short list. Will be back later to hit on other topics.
If you think that “one can’t support a family with the level of pay” of a teacher in HCPS, why don’t you try living in the real world? If you do the research and add up the total time spent on the job (yes, in and out of school), the salary, and all of the benefits (retirement, insurance, tuition reimbursement, etc.), you are still better off than most outside of the school system.
Given this, it’s not really surprising that teachers don’t get a whole lot of sympathy from others when they complain about their job situations.
I agree to an extent, teachers are employed 10 months they make around 45,000 to start and add another 20,000 with benefits, however there days are long some work 10 to 12 hours a day 5 to 6 days a week and then bring home the work to ensure that your children are the most competitve in the area. I really think that some are over worked and some dont do enough, once this grading system cvomes out then we can weed out the ones who this is just a job and keep the ones who really have the love of teaching and will make a difference in the world. if anyone out there who complains about how much a teacher makes, i say id like to see you do it
How much does Manager of Communications, Teri Kranfeld make? I understand she gets paid more than the teachers.
^^The guy she replaced, who had been in the job for ages, made into the six figures. You can request salaries through the Freedom Of Information Act if you really want to know. She would definitely make more than a teacher.
It is in the Aegis every year.
JAO, you’re being sarcastic right? You’re not really saying that the Manager of Communications for the entire school system shouldn’t make more than a first-year teacher, are you? That would be ridiculous.
Maybe not a first year teacher but how about a teacher with 20+ years experience and a Master’s Degree. Someone told me she makes around $95,000. That is for a Bachelor’s Degree and a few years experience in public relations. I am not being sarcastic – I don’t get it. She is told what to do and what to say.
Yes, she just repeats what she is told to say and does nothing productive. It’s a fake job and she’s just stealing our money.
Sheesh. If you have a basic disrespect for non-teaching managerial positions in the B of E, nothing anyone says here will do any good.
If it makes you feel good to criticize something that you know nothing about, then go for it!
(But I do feel sorry for you)
How do you know I don’t know? Seems to be a disconnect between salaries of Administration/Teachers in the school system.
I feel sorry for me too.
JAO, I think you have succinctly summed up this whole conversation regarding teachers and the school system when you said “I feel sorry for me too.”
95% of the teachers in this county are hard-working, highly skilled, and totally committed to their students. They rarely complain, even at times when they have a right to. Harford County is lucky to have them.
Then we have the 5% that do nothing but feel sorry for themselves, complain about everything, and talk about how they are way-more important than any non-teacher could possibly be. I often wonder why, if Harford County is so bad, they don’t apply to other school systems, or take up a different career. Now I realize that it’s just that they want people to feel sorry for them. Again, it’s only a small (but loud) portion of teachers that feel that way.
JAO, you seem to be of the opinion that teachers should make the same as administrators and supervisors. What should this “magic number” be. I’m just curious. Should everyone in society make the same amount of money, no matter their skill sets or expertise?
Don Morrison was the person Terri Kranfeld replaced. That guy put in a lot of hours. He attended all the BOE meetings and all kinds of activities throughout the county. If an school was doing anything newsworthy, he was there. That job might sound like an easy one, but it requires A LOT of hours at all times of day. I would think that a salary approaching six figures is appropriate.
Who is responsible for the many miscommunications since the superintendent started? Is it him or is it the Manager of Communications? I don’t know what the person really does anymore because the job has changed. The department has several people working in it and yet it is next to impossible to get information about test scores in different high schools. Very difficult. I don’t understand why a parent shouldn’t have access to the number of kids taking AP classes and percentage of kids that scored a 3 or above not only in the school their student attends, but any school in Harford County. That should be easy information to publish but I am concerned the county doesn’t want parents to know.
Anyone who is running for the school board I think this is something they need to do.
C’mon, Kate. You know that HCPS doesn’t want AP score information published because it is BAD NEWS and only confirms that kids are not getting what they need to succeed in AP classes.
The list was published on here once, but I think that was for 2008 scores. It’s time for them to be published again. They are out for 2010.
Not all scores for 2010 are out yet. I have a friend who grades AP Bio tests in the summer. She said they only finished a week ago.
Well, part of the reason for poor AP test scores is that there are way too many students taking AP classes who have absolutely no business being in an AP class. Some of them can barely pass a college prep class, but somehow manage to convince guidance to put them in AP classes (even over the objections of the teacher.) It’s no surprise to anyone that those students either don’t take the AP test at all, or end up getting a 1 or 2.
Personally, I think to be in an AP class you should have to be recommended either by the teacher who actually teaches it or (in the case of students who that teacher isn’t familiar with) the recommendation of another teacher in that department. That was how my high school did it (and as far as I know still does it) and virtually everyone took the AP test most of us got at least a 3 on it.
My wife teaches an AP class and while she had a lot of students get 3’s and 4’s (and a couple get 5’s), she also had a lot get 1’s and 2’s. For the most part, the 3’s, 4’s, and 5’s were the students who actually did the work and came to at least some of the after school/evening review sessions she held. The vast majority of the 1’s and 2’s didn’t do the work and didn’t bother going to any review sessions. She’s already predicting the same thing to happen this coming year just based on the students who somehow ended up in the class.
AP scores are out. They are available every year by phone on July 1. Those who wait for the mail are getting theirs now. I have no idea what your friend was grading, Cdev, but the scores have been available since July 1 if you want to pay the $8.00 and get them by phone.
DW–private schools still require that a student be recommended to take AP or even honors level classes. At my daughter’s school, it was required that anyone taking the class also take the test. The school just billed us. Letting kids take the class just waters it all down for the kids who really want to be there.
That is part of the reason the idea the Gov. has for paying for AP tests is such a bad idea. While I am all for paying for kids who need financial assistance (perhaps they could use reduced lunch lists), to pay for everyone will just plunge our local scores even lower.
i love my job and having been doing a great job on evaluations for 6 years, as a custodian my job involves, cleaning, maintaining the grounds, setting up for assemblies, basic plumbing, electrical, hvac, ensuring safety for students and staff, and other duties as assigned, responding to alarms at all hours, removing snow from the property, over the last few years there has been no pay raise, health insurance has gone up, and the cost of living has gone up, for the work that we as custodians do, as a licensed engineer, and licensed hvac, i can go into a private sector job and make 2 times the amount im making here, without all the stress, i think tomback needs to take care of those who bust there buts day in and day out to take care of our children, if he dont take care of us then we the good ones will leave
“i can go into a private sector job and make 2 times the amount im making here”
I really don’t want to be snotty, but I always wonder why, when people make statements like this, they don’t get a different job? I have total respect for the custodians and am amazed by the variety of skills they possess, but why would you stay at a job when you can make twice your salary elsewhere?
people stay where they are at becuse they Love what they do, people stay where they are because they want to make a difference in peoples lifes, people stay where they are at because they are comfortable
Sadly their like for their job and employer has to take a back seat to practicality at times.
Actually you can’t! If you look at the generous benefits package; medical, dental, retirement, vacation, sick leave, etc. you are already being paid twice what any private sector worker makes in a similar position.
Dave, lets look at this perspective have you ever done a wage survey of a boiler operator with a grade 2 license, makes close to 25 dollars an hour to start, have you ever looked at a facillities manager who maintains 500,000 square feet of building, have you looked at the pay of a supervisor in the area who manages 15 or more people, example companies such as Rite aid, Mccormick, Clorox, Frito Lay, people think that custodians are Merry Maids, they are not, The job is highly skilled, for the most part, I am speaking for myself in my Job I weld, I maintain HVAC systems,, take care of pluming issues, sick children,m clean up blood borne pathogens, do preventive maintyence on generators, use lawn equipment, use chainsaws, how much would you pay a person who did all this and more for 12 months
I would agree, however HCPS offers next to nothing that you have listed. Our medical and dental has been slashed to the point that custodians, secretaries, classroom aids, etc. will have to pay more out of pocket than they actually take home. We get no paid vacation time. The two months that teachers get over the summer are unpaid. Basically they are forced into unemplyoment for two months per year. We have gotten no step increase in two years. I don’t mean a raise, I mean actual contractual pay based on number of years worked has been withheld. In the private sector employees, especially those with master’s degrees or higher are treated much better. That is why I left HCPS after 12 dedicated years, forfeiting my pension and earned sick days, to work in a respectful enviroment where I am valued. You have no idea how badly HCPS treats its employees.
@ nolongerateacher…what are you doing now instead of teaching? I feel like I am stuck in HCPS getting pay cuts and freezes at a lousy school full of ungrateful children that don’t want to learn, uninvolved parents, and young, lazy, ignorant, and underqualified administrators and I hate it more and more every year. There is no outlook of situations ever getting better. I am not sure what else I am qualified to do or that I would like. I love teaching and children, but the stress, disrespect, and emotional abuse we teachers put up with on a daily basis is not worth it. So, just curious what career you switched to and if you had any advice for teachers in this situation?
Hello I am retired from the United States Army 26 years of service, before I retired one of my duties was a Drill Sgt. I have taught hundreds in the classroom as well as the battlefield, I hold 4 degrees one of them includes a masters in Education and Instruction, I applied for a teaching position with HCPS and interviewd, I was really dissapointed with the lack of respect, and the lack of leadership that i witnessed during an interview. The body language the eye contact, the overall tone of the conversation, I questioned where did the administrators of this school learn proper procedure for an interview. The way that they presented themselves in there dress code, the handshake, and questions was designed to find someone with little or no experience. Thanks but no Thanks
During the last twenty plus years with a local Manufacturing Company, I have interviewed hundreds of people wanting a job. Many with a Harford County High School Diploma could not read or properly fill out an employment application. No math skills at all and could not spell even basic words. I lost all respect for a system that would award a diploma to someone who in my day couldn’t pass the sixth grade. If teachers want any sympathy from me, they need to start doing a better job.
@Engineer – I don’t doubt that you have come across people who have diplomas that can’t read or calculate a simple math problem mentally, but I’m a little offended when you say that teachers need to start doing a better job. I say this because the blame can’t fall entirely on the teachers. Responsibility also falls on the parents and the administration. As a teacher, I have had students who I didn’t feel had the skills or the developmental capacity to grasp Algebra, Geometry, or other higher level math classes. I would recommend these students repeat a course or placement in a lower level class so that they would have a chance to work on the necessary skills; but in the end, the parents have the child placed in the higher math class all to prevent any sort of stigma. I don’t make my recommendations on a whim, I really take the time to consider the strengths and weaknesses of a child. Sometimes I don’t know why I waste my time trying to perfectly place my students when I know my recommendations will be overturned. Maybe our Board of Ed should take a look at the county’s current placement and retention policies. Maybe retaking a course now isn’t so bad compared to not being qualified enough to get a job ten years down the road.
@ engineer:
I have also lost respect for a school system that awards diplomas to unworthy students, and I am a teacher! At least in high school students must receive at least a D to receive any credits to pass, in addition to passing the HSAs. In middle school, the only way to retain a student is if he/she has failed (received an E overall for the year) in the majority of core subject areas. This means a student could fail math for a year, or English for a year, but because they “passed” (scraped by with at least a D for the year) the other classes they are promoted to the next grade. Even when a student has fulfilled those requirements, if it is deemed that retention would not benefit the student, they are still promoted! There are no credits in middle school, which sets students up for failure in high school and beyond.
If the decision of whether or not to retain students were up to the teachers, students would remain in the appropriate grade to receive the education they need. Unfortunately, this decision is left to administrators who are heavily influenced by parents, and, as someone else said, want to avoid stigmas.
@ Engineer…
Sounds to me like you know nothing about public education in America or Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” act. I teach middle school and students come to me with little or no skill, I FAIL them (or give them an E in HCPS) in my grade level, but they are moved along anyway. There is nothing teachers can do. The ridiculousness is…We are asked who we think should be retained, but none ever are. I will speak for all the teachers in my school…We work our hardest day in and day out, nights, weekends, summers, ALL THE TIME, but we cannot do one of the hardest jobs in the world alone…we need the support of our schools, our communities, our state, and our nation. We are just passing kids along, which is contrary to what most teachers want to do, so it is no surprise that they get to you with little or no skill. Welcome to the future of our country.
“It’s all in the numbers” If you read my post again you will notice that I also said “the system” which includes administrators, parents and how they are graded. Are you saying that teachers are blameless for someone who is eighteen years old and spent twelve years in your classrooms and has a diploma and still can’t read?
“Get me out of here says” Are you saying that all these undereducated graduates are the product of “No child left behind”? What a cop out! The problem is that the school system has been allowed to run thier own show with no checks and balances and no one to answer to. Just look at the way they get thier money and how it is spent. “WE Need More Money For Books”, get more money and then, oops! instead we will give all our administrators a raise. Once they get thier hands on it, they don’t have to honor any promices or pledges made to get it. What a rotten system. And, like it or not, YOU are a willing participant in that system.
Engineer – I understood your post regarding the “system,” but it was to your final statement regarding teachers that I, as a teacher, was responding. I’m not saying that teachers are blameless, however, maybe we are most to blame for not fighting for what we believe is in the best interest of the students. Either way, I try to do the best I can by my students for the nine months they are under my care.
When I graduated from Aberdeen High School in the 60’s, there was a system in place that covered the whole spectrum of student abilities. College prep ( Academic ) for those planning to attend college, Home economics for those women planning to marry and raise a family, Office skills for typing and clerical jobs, Vocational tecnical for those wanting to get into the trades, general course for those who had no definite plans, a robust athletic program for potential sports minded, a wonderful choral and instrumental class, and so on. Students were held back and some were eventually let go. All I can say is that my generation got whatever we needed to prepare us for the real world and I will forever be thankfull that I got that type of education, for it has served me well.
Engineer–Something else that you need to realize is that all diplomas are not created equally. When you were a kid, IEPs (individual education plan?) did not exist. Today, if a student has a documented disability, he/she can have a aid with him/her all day every day answering questions and giving all sorts of assistance depending on the IEP. Although I absolutely believe that IEPs are necessary, they definitely cloud the water when it comes to value of a diploma.
Dr. Tomback has been disrespectful to teachers in his speech and actions. I understand he is working in tough economic times, but he has not seemed to make any effort to make compromises.
I am approaching my 4th year teaching, and with any luck it will be my last. I consider myself to be an excellent teacher (my students, collegues, and administration agree – they would be shocked to know these are my thoughts). I put everything I have into my work and spend many unpaid hours each week planning beyond the curiculum and participating in student clubs and staff committees, but in three years I have seen very little return. The workload has increased (largly in response to changing technology such as Edline and email – OMG the emails!!!), my pay has remained the same, and I recently had to begin my Master’s, which is putting additional stress on my time and bank account. The step scale that is published is FALSE ADVERTISING in my mind. I think my three years of experience deserves acknowledgement. I took a teaching job with the understanding that I would get a step each year. Now that reality has set in, I am ready to check out. My students frequently tell me that I am the one thing that makes school fun, and that is almost enough for me to change my mind and remain teaching. I am a “good one” and I know I have and will continue to make a difference in the world by teaching, but I need to live a quality life for myself and my own children that I may have in the future, and if I can get a government job as a secretary that starts at what I make now and actually has guarenteed raises each year, I’ll take it!
If I had received either a raise OR more paid planning time OR not had to begin my Master’s the idea to give up on teaching may have not even crossed my mind. But at this point I feel that teaching has given up on me.
nolongerateacher and Willow4:
It is the student’s loss that both of you have or are thinking about leaving the teaching profession – at least in Harford County.
I am sure that anyone who truly understands classroom dynamics knows without a doubt that the most important factor in student academic achievement is the teacher. HCPS need to do everything reasonably possible to attract and retain the best teachers available. To do otherwise is a failure by the superintendent and school board to meet the very purpose their positions exist. If you have doubts about that consider this, if every Central Office staff member and the Board of Education disappeared tomorrow quality education would still take place in our classrooms by highly qualified and dedicated teachers. Reverse this situation and all teachers disappeared the school system would collapse.
Classroom teachers are the most valuable asset the school system has and ultimately you get what you pay for. We do not need to drive good teachers away from our classrooms. Every successful business person knows that if you take care of your employees they will take care of you, and in this case that is the student in the classroom. I have studied the HCPS budget and believe there were opportunities to minimize the negative impact on teacher salaries and benefits. The question is whether there was the will to do so by the superintendent and the board. The impression I get from speaking to many Harford County teachers the answer is no.
The affects of these actions may not be immediately felt but I am certain that if not corrected the impact on the school system and the students it exists to serve will be – unfortunately, in a negative fashion.
I agree with Not from Here; Don’t waste time just complaining. Take action and do something to improve the situation.
well, we are doing something were ensuring that your children are safe
I crack up at some of the “Don’t want to hear this teacher whine.” Most teachers do what they do because they love making a difference in students’ lives. They give tons of their time outside of a normal work day to be a mentor to students. They coach for a small amount because they love to do it and it offers another chance to take on a new role with children. They have to take home and grade papers and plan at home, not leave it at work.
Teaching is a job that no one expects to get rich, but does hope one can support their family with. A teacher must continue to get more education, yet there is little advantage to getting a master’s as compared to the Private Sector.
Ultimately, it is about the kids. I am and have been trying to improve the situation for myself and other teachers. Don’t you dare assume otherwise! When many Private Sector parents are doing what they want, it is us teachers who are raising their kids, providing stability, teaching rules of society and simple basic morals.
Don’t call me a whiner, especially when you don’t know me! I may be the biggest influence upon your child. But honestly, teachers in Harford County are more professional than many in the Private Sector.
I love how this has become a referendum on teachers. I think the article is about Tomback!
No wonder he can ge away with his sneaky tactics…when everyone is looking at “the teachers” (i.e. scapegoats) instead of those in actual positions where things can be changed.
I wish I could make up the criteria by which I am evaluated. Could he simply make breathing a criteria
A lot of posts but little said about Mr. Tomback which is the focus of the article. I am interested in seeing some discussion about his successes/failures this past year. What kind of letter grade would you give him? Further, will these opinions have an impact on who you vote for to be on the school board, or what type of person you want on the school board since many of you will not be voting this year? Are there any programs you want to see brought to the county? What modifications or elimination of programs do you want – something other than Early Math and LICW please. Remember, those elected to the board will be making decisions that will impact the entire school system so you do/should have an interest in the outcome.
I think that it is difficult to make a judgment on performance after only one year. However, in one personal encounter with Dr. T., I expressed my disappointment about a school system with 40,000 kids not having gifted education. His response? “Well, technically it does.” My response? “Well, technically, it doesn’t.” And I excused myself. Enrichment education is not the same as a GT program. Having a gifted education coordinator on central staff does not a gifted program make. The only thing I ever saw the gifted coordinator do was mail out information for Destination Imagination and guess what? Overwhelmingly, it was parents who managed that program, not the schools.
None of the kids that my child attended Hopkins Center for Talented Youth programs with continued in HCPS beyond middle school. The kids who test and qualify for Hopkins’ programs are exceptional kids, but they don’t stay in HCPS because there is nothing for them. The HCPS attitude is “the bright ones will be fine.” Another HCPS option is to skip bright kids ahead, which is not a great option for many kids.
As a parent of a profoundly gifted child, I would have LOVED to have sued HCPS over the lack of gifted education, but I did not want to drag my child through the process. But that is what needs to happen to get this district out of the dark ages.
HCPS is average at best. If your kid is average, which at least half of them are, you will be very happy with HCPS.
This is Harford County…didn’t you know that ALL children in Harford County are profoundly gifted?
I understand where you are coming from. My children were in the “talent pool.” But this was not a true GT program. Virtually all of these students stayed together through elementary and middle school, partly because most all were in band and that made scheduling easier. When I made similar inquiries I was told GT programs were a decision made by each school principal and dictated by the needs of that particular student population. The use of available resources at Joppatowne ES and Magnolia MS did not provide for a GT program at that time.
I don’t know how old you kids are, Mr. Frisch, but the “Talent Pool” has been gone from Bel Air schools for close to ten years.
Additionally, about five years ago, the decision was made at Bel Air Middle (it came down from above) that the top half of the 8th grade would no longer be allowed to take the first year of foreign language in 8th grade. It was elitist according to the then-principal. However, several other HCPS middle schools continued to offer language in eighth grade. There is a huge hubbub about consistency in curriculum and then the principals do what they want.
So, if you are looking for suggestions: put foreign languages in all of the middle schools. Make sure that AP language courses are offered. By taking the language out of BAMS, the BAHS principal dropped all language AP offerings for the class of 2009. Fortunately for BAHS, I had already pulled my child out.
Everybody talks about how great HCPS are until they really take a look. My thought is that the powers that be are just lucky that most Harford countians are so uninformed and many have never been out of the county, so to speak.
And Mark, sarcasm noted. If it weren’t so very sad, it might be funny.
My children have been gone from HCPS for many years, although I will have a grandchild starting in a few.
I am concerned that Dr. Tomback doesn’t understand the culture and/or geography of this county. He has been here 1 year now and has brought in someone else who also probably has no clue. I do see promoting Barbara Canavan as a big plus so maybe he will listen to her but that remains to be seen. He has had many “communication failures” since the beginning which indicates to me he doesn’t know who to listen to or he doesn’t quite get it. Still don’t know for sure. I am very worried that he keeps making the same type of mistake with not telling people what is going on and also doesn’t know how the political system works either. That is a big part of his job since the school system is completely dependent on taxpayer dollars.
He also decided that he was going to ignore the Boundary Exception Policy established years ago by the Board. In his words, the test scores were okay at a certain school so it was fine to overcrowd the school. Not concerned about the logistical problems and the fact that the school had the highest classes in the county putting an even bigger burden on the teachers. I personally lost respect for him after that. If someone can give a firsthand account of something wonderful he has done, I would really like to hear it.
Kate –
What school are you referencing? Do you know if this was brought to the attention of any of the school board members, if so what was their response? Do you think the school board should get actively involved in these types of matters with the superintendent? I am not making a judgment here but some would say that would be micro managing from the board. As a candidate for the school board I am very interested in what the public wants from board members, which is in keeping with the “YOUR Voice” slogan of my campaign.
I am referencing Patterson Mill Middle School. The PTA went to the Board in March 2009 because the school was overcrowded then by Boundary Exceptions. They tabled the discussion due to the fact that there was an interim superintendent and kept letting students in. It continued to be a discussion throughout 2009 and into March 2010 when the Board has it as an agenda item and reaffirms it. The Board has every right to be involved with this discussion since this is their own policy they are violating. There are homes being built in the community and students who live in the district are being adversely effected when there is plenty of room in the schools where most of these kids are coming from. PTA was completely snubbed too because they wanted to talk about it and make sure the problem doesn’t continue.
As a teacher Bob you might also understand what this looks like to parents. I am not privy to a breakdown of exactly where these students are coming from but if you look at what schools are sending out pupils, you can get a good idea and that information would be provided to a Board member. The school system tells parents their kid should have to attend a districted school and even renounces people who are upset about their kids being redistricted. In the meantime, you have school personnel who take their kids out of those schools and send them somewhere else. By the way, many of those boundary exceptions are NOT personnel that work in that building. What kind of message does that send to parents?? It’s alright for your kid(s) to go to a certain school but not mine and WE work for the system. If a school isn’t overcrowded that is one thing and I don’t disagree that it should be allowed, but not when the school is getting close to 115% capacity.
And it upset more than a few people when one of the boundary exception kids hit another kid while driving a car through the side lane of the school.
You are correct, as a teacher I am acutely aware of how class size can impact instruction, classroom discipline, and student achievement. As a rule boundary exceptions should be just that – exceptions to the rule, of which school overcrowding should be at the top of the list of considerations. I am also aware of the negative perception this creates.
BAHS benefitted quite nicely from its boundary exceptions. I think two of the top five grads were on boundary exceptions from PMHS.
Bob, my question for you is this: Are you an employee of HCPS? If so, how will you balance being an employee of the system with the “hard issues” you may be required to address and the potential “fallout” you may face if your position is contrary to the Board President’s directives?
Sorry, Bob, I retract the question…I failed to read another article first. The question stemmed from recent dealings amongst school board members and the President of the School Board apparently making decisions and taking action without full input from board members. I apologize for the question without full information…I understand that teachers within the HCPS cannot serve on the Board of Education.
Interested Observer,
You are correct, HCPS employees cannot run for the school board – conflict of interest issues. That said your question about dealing with the “hard issues” is still appropriate. I can assure you that even though I am a teacher I recognize that I would represent many different constituencies, students, parents, teachers, other HCPS system employees, business community, TAX PAYERS, etc., not only in District A but throughout Harford County. I have continually told everyone I meet (even those wanting to vote for me but cannot because they live outside of my district) that they need to be interested in all the district races because once elected these people will be making decisions that affect the entire county.
If elected I would have an obligation to decide issues based on the best interests of everyone without favoritism toward any single or small group of constituents. I promise you that I can deliver on that pledge.
During my prior career in the Baltimore City Police Department I had occasion to work in the Internal Affairs unit. My investigations into alleged police misconduct were thorough and impartial (ask anyone that worked with me) and conclusions were based on the evidence. Sometimes the allegations were false, sometimes true (resulting in disciplinary action) but always fair to all parties concerned. I let the evidence speak for itself without favoritism. I will conduct myself in the same manner on the school board.
That said, I do believe it is important that a classroom teachers perspective is necessary on the school board. I think that all of us have experienced at some time where theory or policy has been handed down from on high that looks good on paper but does not work at the level of application. Such is not uncommon in the education business. Education bureaucracies are good at making rules that actually interfere with or impede teachers’ ability to provide the best educational opportunity for children. And while there are former educators on the current board it is not the same as being in the classroom today. Much has changed in the classroom in just the past five years, NCLB regulations, HSA requirements, new technology, the increase in special needs students, just to name a few.
My campaign slogan is “YOUR Voice.” That means everyone has a voice. All stakeholders should have a place at the table when deciding the critical issues facing our education system. Not that I would always agree with every group but I want their input, they deserve input, we need their input, because too much is at stake. If this sounds like the kind of person you want on the school board come join me. We can make a difference.
There is a new article on the “local ink” tab of the Dagger dealing with the controversy surrounding Rocks State Park. The article details how concerned citizens, SHA, and DRN officials are now working together to solve a problem caused by a lack of communication between these parties. This is an example of how I believe all stakeholders should be involved with our school board and superintendent concerning how our schools are run. The difference being that all stakeholders involvement should have come before the SHA project thereby avoiding the anger and distrust of citizens and delay in a much needed remedy to a problem in Rocks.
If I am elected to the school board I will do all I can to make active stakeholder participation the normal course of business, and in doing so create a climate of respect and accountability for all parties involved.
Bob, I am in complete agreement with you on that thought. It can be very frustrating when a decision is made for you with no input. It creates a very stressful relationship between all parties. In the previous year there has been numerous disagreements between the board of education, teachers, students, parents, community and county council. Many of these could have been easily handled if good communication was used.
I believe there have definetly been flaws in the year of Tomback’s administration. The largest flaw was communication. Decisions such as the teachers pay cuts, were hidden so deep in paperwork it took an intrepid reporter to find them. Another situation that is brought to mind was the potential closure of four elementary schools. This information became available in the aegis and deeply shocked the potential communities affected.
I believe that Dr. Tomback’s residence in Baltimore County does not make him sympathetic to the community that he serves here in Harford County. Any decision that he makes will not affect him nor his children.
I also deeply agree with the earlier comments regarding the gifted and talented programs in Harford County. It is extemely important to provide our children with whatever type of education that they need, whether it be special education or gifted and talented.
The next supt.’s contract might include a clause about living in county. It seems so odd to me that someone would be allowed to live out of county and then be given a car and pay all expenses for that car.
Are you willing to pay for such programs? My biggest fear about what is soon to be a overwhelmingly Republican-controlled school board is the basic political philosophy of the Republican Party. While the race is supposedly non-partisan, quick searches reveal the political affiliation of the candidates that are posting to this board. Why would somebody in today’s times claim they are proponents of public education and then identify themselves as a Republican when the Republican Party has been VERY vocal about their feeling that there is “too much government” (including especially public education). Programs like special education / gifted and talented education require considerable amounts of money.
Lorrie, would you lobby the county council to increase taxes in an effort to increase the programs offered by the school system? Bob, same question. I applaud your comment about bringing to the type of education that ALL students need, but these efforts require considerable amounts of money! I question your commitment to such initiatives unless you are willing to ask the county to pay more (you get what you pay for after all). I know that the conservatives on Dagger will say ‘here is PD, another tax and spend Democrat’; but the reality is that our county can barely pay for the government now, and if we are going to increase the special offerings in our schools, then we must be willing as a society to pay for them!
I don’t think you have to worry about HCPS spending a bunch of money on gifted education, ProudDemocrat. There are too few gifted kids. Also HCPS does nothing to identify giftedness, so by the time parents figure out that their child is gifted, it is too late to do much about it other than send them somewhere else to school. I have always argued that you could spend a very small amount on gifted education and make great progress.
On the other end of the ability spectrum, kids are protected by state law and have to be provided services, and those young people should be protected.
I whole-heartedly disagree that there are too few gifted kids. Identifying those gifts, and recognizing that there are many categories of ‘gifted’ is the real challenge. Gifted means far more than ‘able to excel on written tests’, something that hopefully those that initiate (if done) gifted programs recognize.
Profoundly gifted kids are those in the top one percent of the population. Most gifted kids excel in one area, but many have multiple gifts. IMO, the whole everybody is gifted train of thought is hogwash.
ProudDemocrat, I do not share your assessment that the school board is about to be controlled by Republicans. Only three of nine positions are up for election and many candidates running for those seats have Democratic affiliations, including two that are current members of the Harford County Democrat Central Committee – I do not think you can get more partisan than that. It is quite possible that Democrats could win all three races and with the current governor making the two additional appointed positions to bring the broad to nine members I do not believe there will be much doubt as to what their party affiliation will be. All of the current board members were also appointed by Governor O’Malley. An all “Democrat” school board is a very real possibility.
I know several registered Democrats that hold positions contrary to typically liberal philosophies as well as Republicans that to not hold tightly to conservative tenants. Personally I do not like labels because they usually do not represent the full or true measure of a person. Let their actions speak for themselves and people can then decide if these are the kind of individuals they want holding public office.
State law and the recent State Board of Education decision to reject county requests to lower their education expenditures as mandated by Maintenance of Effort regulations does not put education budgets at risk at this time. Should the country slide into significant economic peril than all bets will be off for any type of government spending – education, public safety, social services, you name it. I am not opposed to spending money on worthwhile programs within the HCPS budget. I am also in complete agreement that “you get what you pay for.” Many that I have spoken with recognize how important it is for our children to have a quality education, not just so that they can have a life of opportunity and prosperity, but that our nation’s continued economic prosperity and high standard of living that we enjoy is dependent upon it. Parents, Democrats and Republicans, are very willing to pay for it.
The question or objection frequently raised is the manner in which these funds are being spent. I have studied the school budget and can see the need to adjust priorities. The guiding principle for every item has to be how does this directly benefit students in the classroom, is it necessary, is it already proven to enhance or improve instruction and student outcomes? If not then it should go. Is this something that we would like to have versus is it something we absolutely must have? I believe there is room within the current budget to offer programs that target specific student populations that have been under served without taking from others. We just need people on the board that can and are willing to scrutinize and if necessary challenge the superintendents’ proposals using the “guiding principle” mentioned above.
Of course there will be differences of opinion, but that is why we should elect the best qualified, experienced, committed, caring people with the kind of integrity and character that leads people to trust in the very important decisions school board members will be required to make.
When posting to this forum I have tried to articulate reasoned and well thought out responses that demonstrate the kind of person I am. This is the same approach I would bring to the school board if elected. Anyone wishing to know more about me can visit my web page at BobFrisch.org or you can contact me directly at bobfrischboe@gmail.com.
It is the Democratic Central Committee, not the democrat central committee. If you are so above such things, then I would encourage you to make an effort to get the party name correct.
ProudDemocrat, I was not trying to pick a fight. I was just trying to point out the possible election results relative to claimed “soon to be a overwhelmingly Republican controlled school board” and answer the question you asked about school funding relative to programs offered.
My apologies for forgetting the “ic” – honest mistake with no negative intent.
It’s kind of funny the Democrats are in the Democratic Party but they are not called Democratics?
Most people don’t remember that there was once a Democratic-Republican Party that split into what we now have as the Democratic and Republican Parties.
Typical Democrat. Attack someone for spelling. What a great retort.
I am hardly attacking somebody for their spelling… rather I expect those that are running for office to not intentionally misuse the name of the Democratic Party as is so often done. If somebody is fit to serve in elected office, I think we can expect them to both know when to use Democrat and Democratic; and to do so appropriately (sadly unlike so many elected Republicans in the House and Senate to routinely do so intentionally).
Jacob you are incorrect about such a ‘split’ as the major impetus leading to the Republican Party. For sure the origins of the Democratic Party are found in the ‘Democratic-Republican’ Party of Jeffersonian fame, but the origins of the Republican Party do not start with a split from the D-R Party, rather those Whigs, American, and Democratic Party members that were anti-slavery started to rally around a common set of principles as outlined by Horace Greeley among others (and eventually called themselves Republicans).
At the time the Democratic and Republican strongholds were exactly the opposite of what they are now (and in fact the party platforms were essentially the opposite of what they are now), and thus the Republicans became the more ‘federal power’ centered party, with the Democrats touting the charge of ‘states rights’. The true Democratic and Republican Parties of today would not really arise until the time period of World War I really (with perhaps Teddy Roosevelt being the bridge between the two eras).
I agree with you about the origins of both Republican Party and the Democrat Party.
Jacob
ProudDemocrat, I apologize that I did not see your question earlier. I do not believe that the school board would need to lobby for an increase in taxes. As a homeowner in the county, I certainly would not like to see an increase myself! I think that the expenses that the county currently pays need to be examined and priorities need to be set forth. For example within the last couple months there was a realization that the track that was built at Patterson Mill was built incorrectly. HCPS now has to pay 1/3 of the cost of the repairs to correct the track. This could have been avoided by proper checks in the construction process. This money will have to come from somewhere. Alot of expenses have been due to oversight and a lack of a proper system of checks and balances. Many employees and contractors working for the school system have been issued checks and/or credit cards without ensuring that they are either being used correctly or that the work is done to correct standards. I recommend any taxpayer in the county take a look at any of the recent HCPS budgets, it is an eye opening experience. Many of my suggestions to improve HCPS will not cost money, they are common sense. For example, bringing back recess to the schedule. Many schools have very expensive playground equipment and the people that use them are afterschool.
Much of that equipment was paid for by PTAs and such.
It is a shame that you would not be willing to pay additional taxes if those taxes went for better schools and improved infrastructure and protection in the county. Within reason, I would gladly pay more (apparently the ‘taxpayers’ of Harford County have forgotten you get what you pay for).
The problem is not having to pay higher taxes (I am quite sure you would choose to pay higher taxes if that area is clean, safe, and offers outstanding opportunities for recreation, child development, education, and social interaction). We intentionally do so all the time by moving into areas with HOA fees and the such. But the Republican message of ‘anti-tax, anti-tax, anti-tax’ has clouded all intelligent discussions of taxes and government programs, and as such we are in trouble in places like Harford County where the Republicans are both in control and stick to the national party anti-tax message. Very sad…
ProudDemocrat,
You can write a check and contribute to county coffers anytime, in fact you could walk the check over to the county office tomorrow. Additionally you could gather up your like-minded friends and they too can contribute for the betterment of the county.
Jacob
ProudDemocrat,
Why must you insist on attacking every Republican as anti-tax. This is just not true. I know many Republicans that are not against paying taxes they just disagree with how the those taxes are being spent. The extremists on both sides of the political spectrum have “clouded” intelligent discussion. The majority of Americans are somewhere closer to the middle. Your rants about extremists anti-tax Republicans are getting old and risk making your commentary on this site irrelevant. There has to be room for people to disagree without resorting to attacks and name calling. You are crossing that line where people will begin to write you off as someone so jaded by your own perspective that those of us in the middle (who actually decide who gets elected) will pay no attention to what you have to say. Think about it.
also a dem I agree with you that both sides cloud itelligent discussion. Alas they label the people in the middle from being from the other side!
also a dem, I did not attack anybody, nor did I call anybody a name. For some reason you want to make a criticism the same as an attack. Your type of response is what sours American politics, not my pointing out the realities of the current Republican Party.
There are almost no centrist Republicans while the Democrats range from conservative to somewhat liberal. The biggest problem is that our entire country is skewed considerably to the right. What you are considering centrist is conservative from a 1968 perspective. The true liberals are few and far between (and people claiming that President Obama is a liberal are really blind to reality). Maybe if you would read what I wrote and try to look at the realities with a bit of historical perspective, you would see that what I am saying is quite true (and certainly not a personal attack).
ProudDemocrat, trying to characterize Pres. Obama as a centrist is nonsense. He is a far-left progressive without doubt.
I only wish he was. If President Obama were as liberal as you claim, we would have a single-payer universal health care system now (instead, we have a system that does not even allow for any public option to those younger than 65 unless you are disabled or poor). We would also be fully enforcing the clean air and water acts, and there most certainly would not be a push towards ‘charter’ schools, along with very questionable ‘faith-based initiatives’ and two wars. Furthermore, if President Obama were truly liberal, marriage equality would be a reality and the death penalty would not be. For those of us that consider ourselves truly progressive and liberal, President Obama, while MUCH better than the alternative, has still been a bit of a let-down.
Oh but ProudDemocrat Pres. Obamam did try ever so hard to implement a liberal/progressive transformation of the United States and thankfully the American people and conservatives did what they could to stop this ideologue from succeeding
The question is can the damage be undone?
ProudDemocrat,
It is the tenor of your responses which leaves the very real impression that you give Republicans (or Democrats that do not espouse your particular views) little credit for being able to do anything correct or have ideas worth consideration. I think I’ll just skip your posts from now on.
Also, you are more then welcome to ignore what you want! That is of course the beginning of ignorance, and why Fox News is so damaging to our culture (ignoring other perspectives). My largest complaint about the modern Republican Party is that the generalized party platform is the same issue over and over again. Cut taxes on wealthy Americans. No matter what the situation our country is in, that has pretty much been the Republican message. No discussion about targeted cuts, increasing taxes in other areas, funding programs, protecting environment, moving towards universal heath insurance… these things are an anathema to the Republican Party of today. If the Republican Party were more like the party of the 60’s, and the Democratic Party were in fact actively liberal (rather than centrist at best), then both parties would offer substantive discussions.
If you SERIOUSLY think that the Republican Party is offering an honest discussion about how to operate the country, then you clearly are not an objective observer! It is mighty hard to see how the same prescription offered by the Bush administration (and the Bush and Regan administrations before that) that clearly caused our current economic difficulties can fix them! I do question whether or not you are Democrat, and if you wish to ignore me for questioning that, then so be it… I do not know who you are, thus it is no skin off my back!
ProudDemocratic
You subscribe to a bankrupt liberal/progressive ideology. Conservatives are this nation’s only hope.
Joe
ProudDemocrat, I take it that your question was worded in such a way that either response that I would have made could have been turned around on me. I stand by my response that there does not need to be an increase in taxes to fund a fully functional school system. Especially at times like now when many families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. The problem lies in the squandering of the money received. While you say shame on me for not wanting to pay more money to have a better school system, I choose to run for this office in order to ensure that the money received from the county residents is spent in the most efficient way possible. I do not mind paying taxes and fees as long as my money is well spent. And I disagree with your comment that you did not “attack” anybody. You decided, without ever meeting me that I was “anti-tax” and you formed your own opinions without any information other than what you created yourself.
CDEV, yes I know that the equipment was paid for by the PTA through fundraisers and such. My daughter’s school recently has had quite a few to fund the playground equipment that they received. I think it is a shame that the students do not get to use it as much as they should.
Lorrie I see no attack, rather an affiliation. I would be very interested to see a Republican candidate mention that they would consider tax increases if those increases would improve an existing service or allow for an additional service to be offered. Political leaders need to be willing to cut taxes when/where needed and also to increase taxes when/where needed. While the school board does not have taxing authority, you will certainly be discussing such authority with the County Council. The question is WOULD you lobby for increases in school funding through the tax base IF it were needed to fund programs that you discuss.
As a teacher in the county I can of course point to waste (not the least of which is our superintendent’s 4-wheel drive vehicle), but there is not THAT much waste despite what you hear on Dagger. If you want to stay competitive with surrounding states (try figuring out how many DAMN GOOD teachers we have lost to PA in the past four or five years) than you need to pay teachers accordingly, in addition to providing classroom technology to facilitate instruction. While you can reduce the amount of waste in the system, you cannot do so enough to enact a competitive salary increase (keeping in mind that teachers have had in effect a pay CUT in the past two years, that will never be recovered). If you would commit to fighting for what the school system needs to stay competitive, even if it means making a politically unpopular request of the County Council, then I would most certainly be willing to vote for you, regardless of political affiliation.
ProudDemocrat, if the money was directly going to fund needed programs. My fear is that I see the school board stating that they are hurting for money one day and the next I see a blatant waste.For example we have all heard this year that the school system is in bad shape and cuts need to be made. This week they are repaving the bus lanes at North Harford Middle School. This is something that could have waited until the school system was in a better financial place. Two years ago they had the teacher cuts, but the whiteboards were put in many classrooms. I would do what is right for the school system, but I would want to know that in the case that I was asking for more money from the county council that the money was going were it was needed. Not for a new car for the superintendent once he tires of his current one or for catered lunches, I can pack a peanut butter and jelly with the best of them. I was a registered independent for twelve years until this year so as much as you would like to lump me into a political party I am my own person. I felt that my vote was not being counted as I was unable to vote in primaries. I saw quite a bit of waste, or what I considered waste, in the last couple budgets. For example, think how much money could be saved by just cutting down on the amount of papers sent home. I would guess between my two children they bring home an average of 15-20 pages a night. Multiply that by all the students in the system. I am not afraid to stand up for what I believe is right for the students and teachers in this county, whether that might at times make my decisions unpopular with certain groups. The duty of those elected to the HCPS Board of Ed is to ensure that the children of this county receive the best possible education. That means retaining and attracting the best teachers and support staff by whatever means necessary.
That is a helpful answer, thank you. Just an FYI however, many such improvements you discuss (like the Whiteboards) are from targeted funds and grants; I do no think it would have been legal to redirect those funds to teacher salaries or benefits. In addition, some infrastructure expenditures (I THINK roads and parking lots are like this, but not sure) come from other branches of the government, as in the parking lot at NH Middle may have been billed to Harford County Roads, not to HCPS facilities. Either way however, it is difficult as a teacher to see dropping salaries and benefit cuts while such things are progressing.
Reducing the sent-home paperwork is more challenging issue. With Edline and such one wonders why it is so necessary, but I have heard ‘here-say’ reports that things sent to Parents through Edline are far less-likely to be read than sending home a paper. Furthermore, until we know that all of our students have internet access, it is challenging for teachers to assign web-based homework assignments. You would be surprised how many of our Aberdeen students do not have computers at home (or do not have internet access at home; my favorite situation is having a student in an advanced class, often darn good students, whose parents will not allow their advanced 11th grade history students online because they (the parents) do not trust all the nefarious content out there! But alas, that is a different story…
I do understand about the whiteboards and projector systems being in place due to grants and whatnot; however, the issue is that the system doesn’t have the employees to keep them all functional. There are less than a handful of HCPS tech people that are qualified to maintain these expensive pieces of technology. So few in fact, that they pretty much only have the time to visit a given school once a month. If you have a projector that happens to blow a bulb the day after the techies have been in the building, you have to place a work order, and wait three to four weeks for them to return to your building. Do the math, and that is fifteen to twenty days of instruction where the technology that the county has become so dependent upon is useless. In case anyone is unfamiliar with the whiteboards, the projector has to be functional in order to use the whiteboard.
Not to mention the fact that these “magnificent white boards” have been admitted to being functionally obsolete within 3 years of installation as was admitted in a recent HCPS Title 1 function by a member of the HCPS administration. Then what? More money…
The crux of the matter is what Lorrie Warfield alludes to: “more money going out than money coming in” in an extremely inefficient manner. Not only is there outdoor equipment available at the elementary schools, there are also many schools with lovely outside spaces that are being ignored as well. Our children will achieve more and be healthier for the exercise and outdoor time that a half hour a day of recreation provide. Last time I checked, the sun and air are still free!
Not to mention the fact that these “magnificent white boards” have been admitted to purportedly forecast to being functionally obsolete within 3 years of installation as was admitted in a recent HCPS Title 1 function by a member of the HCPS administration. Then what? More money…
The crux of the matter is what Lorrie Warfield alludes to: “more money going out than money coming in” in an extremely inefficient manner. Not only is there outdoor equipment available at the elementary schools, there are also many schools with lovely outside spaces that are being ignored as well. Our children will achieve more and be healthier for the exercise and outdoor time that a half hour a day of recreation provide. Last time I checked, the sun and air are still free!
Interested Observer, you bring up another point that I would like to address. When I attended school we were all very excited to be able to have classes outdoors and/or use our outdoor classroom. A great opportunity is being missed by not allowing those experiences for the children today. And regarding cost, many boy scout troops are willing to build these for schools at no cost as part of their projects. I believe at this point that the HCPS BOE seems to be spending on dramatically improving the facilities while neglecting the teachers and support staff that work in them. I worry about what will occur when the new teachers, administrators and support staff for Red Pump Elementary begin being paid. Will we cut more from the other teachers? And when Campus Hills Elementary is built, what will happen then?
Hello Mrs. Warfield, You make fantastic points in many of your posts above. I couldn’t agree with you more about getting students outside (particularly on field trips). As a teacher and a resident in District D I do however want to take a moment to defend and discuss some of what is discussed above.
I have had a Whiteboard in my room for a year now, and while it has not offered a wholesale change in teaching and learning style, it most certainly has been a benefit in presentation style and collaboration with teachers in other areas (that also use similar technology). Furthermore I have had a projector mounted on my classroom ceiling for years, and (knock on wood) have not had a single problem with that projector. A few other teachers have had issues in our department, and to be sure the repair times are too long, but there are alternatives offered for the interim (including cart-mounted projectors). The cost of purchasing such equipment seems to have largely come from grants (particularly through the Supervisor of Science), however maintenance cost clearly is central. In any case, the educational benefit of such equipment is largely without dispute, and while these types of equipment clearly make education more expensive, they also make it more effective, and thus I would hope that the Board of Education continues to make such technologies a priority. My largest complaint as a teacher is that there is limited control of technologies (it sometimes seems that I am not deemed professional enough to make decisions about what hardware and software is effective for use in my own classroom). Alleviating this concern is challenging however as teachers approach technology with a varying degree of experience. I do wish there was a program that establishes a level of technology expertise and allows teachers with a higher level of comfort to have increased access (administrative access) to our computers and can add hardware and software accordingly.
You are also correct in pointing out the potential of using outside groups (like Boy Scouts) to make changes to the school grounds. We have done this a few times in my tenure at C. Milton Wright; Scouts have constructed an outdoor classroom and nature trail (including stepping stones to cross a stream, numbered sign posts and introduction sign, all in addition to picnic areas and an outdoor classroom for up to 30 students). I have seen no roadblocks to getting such projects done, providing that HCPS Facilities is notified and approves the project before preceding. There have been similar projects around the school campus that have produced picnic areas, flower beds, and even in the past a small ‘nature pond’ (spear-headed I believe by former teacher Bob Chance along with current teacher Sharyn Denbow).
In conclusion the improvements in facilities are (I am quite sure) welcomed by the staff of HCPS. I am quite sure I speak for many of us when I say that the need is to both continue to improve facilities and technology while also being competitive in pursuing new educators (and retaining those that are already here). These two initiatives of course require funding (I personally cannot believe that the County Council unanimously cut the ‘impact fee’, money that is not a tax on current residents but goes directly to the school systems, facilities in particular), and I am sure any efforts to allow both improvements in facilities and increases in the ability attract and maintain well-qualified teachers will pay off in the long run through an improved and dynamic school system.
Thank you for reading… and good luck in the election.
Russ Kovach
Science Teacher (Biology and Earth Science)
C. Milton Wright High School
Mr. Kovach: While I appreciate your interest in providing “more information” based upon your own expertise, I cannot subscribe to the idea that teachers should undertake establishing their own curricula without input from the Curriculum Review Committee. The Havre de Grace High School English/drama dept. made egregious errors when they managed to “slip under the wire” during the 2009/2010 school year. It would be unconscionable to permit teachers a “free-for-all” discretionary freedom to decide what they believe will benefit the students. It just opens up too many doors to irresponsible individuals such as those teachers who decided to permit/portray the rape/suicide of an “intellectually challenged” girl on their high school stage in a mandatory school drama assembly named, “Drama Therapy.” Further encouragement of such “freedoms” just cannot be risked.
I do not disagree with you, nor do I see where I indicated an individual teacher should control curricula. It is the case however that I by and large do determine which lessons to use; the curriculum determines the topics to cover, the teacher (for the most part) determines how best to deliver those topics to a diverse and unique group of students. This is not to say that I do not strongly feel that teachers should have the most say of what goes into a curriculum of any group in society (I most certainly do feel that teachers should control curriculum), but for a system as large as HCPS it is logical that an individual course be constructed by a curriculum committee (at least for a course that will be delivered in multiple schools).
Without more information about the Havre de Grace situation (I personally know only what I have read in the newspaper, and I did not that find particularly illuminating) I would prefer not to comment directly. I will say however that most teachers in the county have far more advanced degrees in their subject area than does the public at large, and consequently their professional opinions about what should be taught, and when, should be given due consideration.
Mr. Kovach, I certainly do agree that providing our students with the newest technology is highly important. One area of concern that I do have is that as you mentioned the training for the newer systems. I do think that there should be training for the teachers in order for them to be able to fully use the technology available. Regarding the outdoor usage, when I was at NHHS I had Mr. Poole who taught Environmental Science. You rarely found our class indoors as he believed in showing us everything possible outdoors. That was a great experience because it was hands on. Regarding the impact fee that the County Council reduced, I was in favor of it due to my family getting ready to build a home on the family farm. When you are paying everything out of your own pocket to build every bit helps. The impact fee actually can affect Harford County residents, for example I will be paying the fee but a family that could be moving from out of state and purchasing our current home will not have to pay anything even though I have been a Harford County resident for 30 years and a homeowner for 10. I don’t believe that the impact fee is a steady enough stream of income for our schools. The construction industry is highly variable, it is either feast or famine, and lets face it there are only a limited amount of lots left in the county while schools will continue to need to be built and remodeled. I think that newer ways of funding school construction should be reviewed, I do believe that there is an advisory committee formed for that purpose. Thank you very much for your comments, I really do appreciate them. If I am elected I would like to receive input from a variety of people and keep a steady stream of communication in both directions. I believe that we all play a part in the education of the children of Harford County no matter how large or small the role.
Mr. Kovach: “…teachers in the county have far more advanced degrees in their subject area than does the public at large.”
While secondary teachers do have undergraduate degrees in their field, I would argue that most master’s level degrees are in education not the subject that a teacher teaches. I am not sure that I agree with this statement about advanced degrees.
You think that teachers do not have degrees more applicable to their classes than ‘the public at large’ (however he put it)? Even a BS or BA degree with a Masters in education is still more than most society has, and is certainly more in the area of education!
Mrs. Worfield, how self-serving it is to support a repeal of a fee because it will impact you once in your life. That $2000 (especially when compared to the $300k or more many new houses are going for, even today) is a tiny sacrifice that in the long run has a huge pay-off for society. Stable or not, it is obnoxious that our county council cut funding for a school system that is facing major cuts. Even more concerning is that ‘advocates’ for the school system are publicly stating that the cut is a good thing!
I think that the “far more advanced degrees” was an overstatement although I do agree that teachers should have input on curriculum, which I think at least some do even in HC. While some teachers have advanced degrees, there are plenty of people in Harford County who have high level degrees in the sciences and math. Overall, 33 percent of people in Maryland over the age of 25 have at least a bachelor’s degree.
BSMeter, neither the previous impact fee nor the current one was $2,000. The previous fee was $8,269 and the revised one is now $6,000. When you are not building a $300,000 home but one of 1/3 that amount then it does make a difference. This is my personal opinion, one I do not expect anyone else to agree with. Many long time Harford County residents could be hit with that fee while in-mover’s that buy existing homes won’t. Building permit’s in the county have drastically gone down over the last couple years. The impact fee will dry up once available land is gone, but as I said schools will still need to be built and remodeled. The impact fee is not the best solution to continue to maintain and build the schools within the county. The root of the problem with school construction goes back to the late 80’s and 90’s when big builders overcrowded the schools by building where ever they could get approved. Almost 20 years later the school system is just now beginning to fix the problem. Add to that a lack of intelligent redistricting and that is why there are schools sitting at 60% enrollment and others over 120%.
L. Warfield: “Add to that a lack of intelligent redistricting and that is why there are schools sitting at 60% enrollment and others over 120%.”
Time to redistrict!
Not from Here, we can only hope that the elementary school redistricting that is currently going on will be done correctly and not create a large mess for the incoming board.
The redistricting should involve ALL the schools, not just elementary. Currently, Homestead-Wakefield is split amoung 3 middle schools. That’s crazy. Each elementary should feed 1 middle school. That makes the transition to Middle a whole lot easier for staff and students. My kids were in the handful from HWES to get redistricted to PMMHS. They told me they felt like they had moved into a new school. They didn’t know anyone. Most of their friends went to BAMS. We drive past BAMS to get to PM.
Like me many of you probably received your property tax bill in the mail today. In addition to assessing Mr. Tomback’s performance through his first year as superintendent, one of the boards’ most important responsibilities, the other is the school budget. Does anyone have suggestions as to what they expect from the school board in that regard?
Does someone know what the Executive Director of Community Engagement and Cultural Proficiency does in a school system? Dr. Tomback introduced him at the BOE meeting the other night and talked about all of the individuals involved in the selection process. He didn’t say where he was from or what his background was or even what the job was. One of the Board members went on about how important this job was in talking with leaders in the faith based community and business leaders. Isn’t that a part of the superintendent’s job or a public relations job? It seems like he is hacking off much of his job and passing it on to others. That’s called delegation but he is hiring new people to delegate to.
I want that job. No one knows what it is. No one knows what the responsibilities are. Anybody catch how much he is being paid?
What about this…in a recent AEGIS article about stagnating pay…it lists a top teacher pay – Master’s Degree plus 30 beyond @ $72,065 BUT there is an HCPS job posted for a Junior Programmer – Bachelor’s degree – NO experience required and guess what that starting salary is — $72,861 – wow, talk about discrepancies – a teacher works 30 years plus all that additional education and doesn’t even make what a fresh out of college, green behind the ear, IT graduate…note to everyone…apparently Technology in the school system pays a whole lot better than the instructional side!
“Junior Programmer – Bachelor’s degree – NO experience required and guess what that starting salary is — $72,861 – wow, talk about discrepancies – a teacher works 30 years plus all that additional education and doesn’t even make what a fresh out of college, green behind the ear, IT graduate…note to everyone…apparently Technology in the school system pays a whole lot better than the instructional side!”
This should not be a surprise to anyone.
Teachers need to stop working for free. Leave at 3:50 along with many of the principals etc. No one “needs” the math and reading nights etc– do not stay after to work these free events. Get rid of the Spring flings, dances that need chaperoning, ice cream socials, intervention programs… and on and on. Teachers teach because they have bills to pay like everyone else–not just because they care about children. Unfortunately some school principals almost dictate you work certain events at night without pay–in order to give the parents the “warm fuzzies”– well guess what– grow up parents –teachers do not owe you events at night during their family time in order to boost your good feelings about school w/warm fuzzies! What is this romper room???? A good principal should not even have the gall to ask their teachers to work for free…but guess what– say no and suddenly you are on an assistance plan…or getting observed…A good leader should be looking out for their people and not ask them to go above and beyond when the county certainly won’t do so for their teachers! Other counties are getting raises– how long will Harford ride on the poor economy excuse– someone needs to look at the budget waste and find out where the money is going…
In that case, we should drop all pretenses of teachers being ‘professionals’ and install time clocks so they can punch in and out. Is that what you want? Hourly workers who get paid just for the time they put in and are subject to layoff whenever budgets become tight? Or salaried professionals who put in whatever time is necessary to get the job done, and who leave to find another profession if they don’t think that the pay is equal to the effort.
You can’t pick and choose whichever aspects of salaried vs. hourly that you prefer.
Teachers are not treated as professionals and this is the attitude the county has created! Obviously you are not a teacher. Most Fed gov employees do not take work home on the weekend- and guess what- they are still getting raises and many make 90,000+ a year with only a liberal arts degree. Ice cream socials etc are not in the state curriculum.We should not feel obligated to run them.
Stick to replying to a topic you have working knowledge of.
“Most Fed gov employees do not take work home on the weekend- and guess what- they are still getting raises and many make 90,000+ a year with only a liberal arts degree.”
Sic of it: Most of the federal workers I know are Ph.D. scientists or engineers. They put in plenty of hours.
I know Federal Workers who do not have PH.D’s and work 70 hours a week, don’t delude yourself we all work hard and not for 90K a year. We just have to make our voices heard but in a positive way.
AMAZING! HARFORD COUNTY IS BECOMING BALTIMORE COUNTY NORTH. WERE DR. TOMBACK’S LATEST ADDITIONS AND APPOINTMENTS MADE AS AN INNER CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (EXCURSIONS AND FORE!) OR BECAUSE OF THEIR QUALIFICATIONS? SHAME ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR NOT INVESTIGATING THE CREDENTIALS OF THE TWO LATEST APPOINTMENTS, AS BOTH WHERE DEMOTED OR RELEASED FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY. WHY ARE WE ACCEPTING REJECTS? OUR HCPS EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS DESERVE BETTER.
Because when you pay less then Baltimore County you are going to get Baltimore COunty rejects and can not afford to be picky. My wifes school has 14 staff members leaving and most cite pay as a reason for leaving. It is now getting to the point where someone with 11 years experience is making about 5K less the Baltimore county. Baltimore Counties benefits are better and their pay scale maxes out higher.
Do you think maybe the Board of Ed. hired him for a purpose, maybe he is the spokesperson for thier plans. I mean think about, have any of the Board of Ed actually worked in schools for years? Do they really understand what happens there day to day? Or are they just living with their own agenda?
Neal,
Other than Mr. Osman, who recently retired from teaching in HCPS, and Mr. Wheeler, who rose to high administrative office in BCPS but has not actively taught in a K-12 classroom in years, I know of no other real classroom teaching experience on the school board.
This fact is one factor that led me to decide to seek a seat on the school board this election cycle. As a current classroom teacher at Kenwood HS in Baltimore County I am well aware of this missed perspective on the board when making policy decisions that affect classroom teachers and students where the real business of education takes place.
Theories and policies often look good on paper but issues in the practical application is frequently overlooked by the board because there is no one there to critically evaluate such policy proposals from the viewpoint of the classroom teacher.
I would be happy to speak with you regarding your views about education in HCPS. I can be reached at bobfrischboe@gmail.com.
Bob Frisch
Board of Education candidate
District A (Edgewood/Joppatowne/Joppa)
I wish we did punch a time clock for all the work we do- then maybe we would actually get paid for the work we do. Since when is punching a timeclock unprofessional??? Snobby statement wouldn’t you say??Not just hourly workers are subject to layoffs Phil.
The funny thing that many people don’t seem to realize is that most successful professionals do not work a 40-hour week. I used to be a magazine editor. I was paid a salary. When I was on deadline, I often worked until seven, eight, or nine o’clock at night to get the magazines in on time. I did not get paid overtime; it was just part of the job. Heck, I had page proofs delivered to the hospital when my second child was born, so I could look them over one more time.
I would venture to guess that my husband has averaged about a 50 hour work-week over the course of his 35+ years of working, and that is an average. He travels and is gone for days at a time, but he doesn’t receive additional compensation for that.
Teachers are paid a salary to do a job. A salaried employee is generally thought of as a professional. The comment about punching a time clock is in reference to hourly (wage earner) employees, who punch in and out and only get paid for the hours they work.
you are missing the point–most professionals make alot more than teachers–sorry for your family if you choose work over family time.
People that are workaholics tend to do this type of thing. Our society has their priorities mixed up.
Su Smith –
When you say “most professionals make alot more than teachers” which “professionals” are you talking about?
Did you compare apples-to-apples including salary, health/dental insurance, 403(b), pension and vacation?
Jacob
Su Smith:”…most professionals make alot more than teachers.”
Engineers, scientists, accountants, among others have always made more money than teachers. When I graduated from college 100 years ago, the engineering graduates’ starting salaries were 50% higher than my liberal arts degree starting salary. I don’t know whether you know this, Su, but it is much more difficult to earn a degree in engineering than it is to get a degree in elementary education and that is why fewer people pursue those degrees. I am usually amused by the posting on this site, but I think that my amusement is waning.
Jacob teachers do not get a 403b match of any sort.
They get a pension.
yes but you listed that already. so the 403b needs to come off your list. they also do not geet vacation time they get paid for 190 days they work.
Don’t teachers earn personal time, Cdev? I thought that teachers were allowed so many days that could be used for personal reasons–including, but not limited to just taking a day off because he/she needs one.
My wife gets 3 of those but if you read the contract they can’t be used for cvacation time but are to be used for personal buisness.
Ha! Don’t count on the pension, you may be able to buy the dented cans at the grocery store for the money you’ll get. So be nice to your kids so you can move in with them.
Cdev, So you are one of the loons that say holidays and summer “vacation” are unpaid time for teachers. Get this straight teacher schedules are the envy of most people. There are few better professions for a work/life balance than teaching. Teachers get an annual salary for a ten month year.
Oh and there are few retirement programs that have both a pension and a 403(b) plans. Even a matchless 403(b) is a terrific benefit as a savings vehicle with tremendous tax deferment.
Jacob
It is unpaid for teachers. My wife is not getting an HCPS pay check. This is why she works a second job. Note it is ten months. They are not getting paid for two months!
I know few have both but YOU listed them both as benefits of the job. One is not a benefit, the 403b, the other is. You seem to be placeing items on your list to make it longer then it actually is!
Cdev, A 403(b) is a benefit whether there is a match or not.
I think it’s great that your wife supplements here annual teacher’s salary during the summer vacation, good for her and your family.
Teachers are contracteed to teach 180 days plus 10 days. The other ten days are professional development and other things the schools district views as needed. It used to be an option that you could have your ten-month salary spread out over all twelve months.
Your argument, Jason, that teachers are paid an annual salary for a ten-month year seems to be the root of most teacher pay arguments. Teachers don’t think they make enough but seldom do the math for what they would make if, indeed, they were in the classroom all year. 190 eight-hour days is 1620 hours, while fifty forty-hour weeks is 2000 hours.
Teachers will argue that they work more than 8 hours a day, but most people who are trying to get ahead (salaried professionals) also put in more than their required 40 hours a week. It is a never-ending argument. I would argue that teacher pay, benefits, and schedule are pretty good. In this area of the country, the cost of living is quite high, so it is more of a struggle.
Jacob explain how being told you may only use one company to set up a retirement account is a benefit. Secondly not from here HCPS particularly pays bad for teachers salaries when you compare locally.
I love when people who have not a clue comment on the teaching profession. It’s not like you walk in pull a lesson out of think air, teach kids with no problems and walk out at the bell. Teachers are parents, psychologists, social workers, instructors, curriculum developers, chaperons, coaches, and whatever “duties as assigned” come up. If you knew not only the amount of work that is done during those short “190” days as well as weekends, afterschool and whatever else might happen you wouldn’t be so envious. We’ve dealt with parent abuse, sometimes us but mostly kids, fights, emotional trauma and the fact that we can’t bring all the kids who need us home. I’ve known and taught kids who have suffered in horrible accidents with brain damage, who’ve died in accidents or illness, whose parents or siblings have been incarcirated because of drugs or on a murder. I have worked with students who have been sexually abused by a parent or sibling. I’ve also sadly known students who have taken thier own lives. If you think that is something to envy than maybe you need some help. I love my job don’t get me wrong, but at times it is heart breaking and draining. I loose sleep because I am only one person and at times feel ineffectual in our system. And, in all honesty I have bills and my own children who yes have thier own problems and need me to be there. Though pay isn’t everything, I resent being one of the lowest paid teachers in the state and at times felt that my job is one anyone can accomplish. You’re so envious you try it!
Su Smith: “…sorry for your family if you choose work over family time.” Kind of a snarky comment. However, I think it was you whining about all the extra hours.
And by the way, Su, for nearly 30 of the years my husband was working his 50 hour weeks, he was in the U.S. Army sacrificing his time with our family for our country.
My wife has worked for our country as well, and yet values what I do. Imagine that.
I was interested in the argument that teachers as professionals should not act like they are salaried – i.e. no working to rule?. At Bel Air High last school year a new teacher attendance system was tested. If a teacher needed to run to the bank on their planning time, they were required to sign out and then back in on the attendance website and were docked pay for the time they were gone (in 15 minute intervals). This does not sound like teachers are considered salaried by the Board of Ed. Additionally for quite a few years now the teacher salaries have been divided up and paid by the number of hours worked. (BTW this is 7.5 hours per day at the high school level with a 30 minute lunch.) Salaried? – Well there is no overtime pay…
Did BAHS pilot a new electronic attendance system this past year?
As far as teachers swiping in and out and being charged for every 15 minute block, it sounds as though it would cost more in paperwork to administer that than it would be worth. However, it does make sense to know who is out of the building in the event of an emergency.
Having worked in numerous capacities, including one year some time ago in a public school, I would say that teachers are often treated about the same as kids as far as asking permission to leave the school property. Because teachers have the added responsibility of watching over students, on some levels it makes sense that they would not leave the school grounds during the day. When I worked in private industry, I would not leave the office to run an errand, but would usually do it during my lunch break.
Almost every day I have what you would call a “working lunch” and while I agree that administration should know where staff are just in case of an emergency I find the circumstance as described here (charged leave time for a short errand) to be petty at the least and insulting at worst. This is exactly why significant numbers of teachers feel disrespected by some specific school administrators and the central office in general. It is this kind of action that makes teachers feel they are not regarded as true professionals but rather just the hired help.
If you treat your employees like this over such a minor issue it should not be unexpected that teachers would not want to do anything extra for the system. Most will continue to do those extras because they genuinely care about their students.
The members of the Board of Education need to insist and if necessary assist the Superintendent in finding not only managerial talent but leaders as well. Possessing one without the other is simply not good enough for those selected to lead schools and govern staff.
There should be a positive relationship between teachers and administration. The current relationship appears to be anything but so. It is vital to the success of our schools and the students and parents we serve that such adversarial relationships end. This is one of the issues I would make a high priority if I am elected to the board.
Must be nice to be able to leave on your lunch break without getting docked. Teachers are not treated professional in this regard. If we get our job done, we should be able to leave the building during our planning periods without penalty. Sadly this is not the case. I know for a fact that lawyers and doctors can leave their office during non-appointment hours (and will of course finish their work outside of the regular work day, as do most teachers), but teachers are sadly treated by administrators like they are students. I agree that we should report out arrivals and departures in the event of emergencies, but if we are not on duty in the school building there should be no reason why we cannot leave. If Dr. Tomback and other administrators in HCPS really did see teachers are professionals, then this issue would never have to be raised.
Ah, but was your lunch break between 20 & 30 minutes? If you’re lucky.
I guess what this all boils down to are people feeling as though they are being taken advantage of– the school system wanting more and more and paying less and less. People need to really start searching for other jobs if the county does not want to pay. For as little as teachers make it should not be hard to start a new profession with a lot less hassles. Unfortunate for the children and parents of this heavily taxed county.
Yes teachers who think they do better in other professions should give it a look see. You will be surprised at how difficult it will be to even match your current salary, pension, 403)b) and health care benefits…if you can even find a job.
Very good article in the Aegis on Friday about teachers salaries and the raises the other teachers in surrounding counties are getting…hmmm how long will Harford County play out the poor economy excuse?? People are not so dumb after all. Anyone that thinks teaching is a cake job should spend 1 day subbing in the classroom- then come talk to us about it. Looks easy- but give it a try and soon you will see..
On another note, has anyone noticed the recent resignations of some top people working at the Roberty building? Last I heard, Jon O’Neal, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources is going to Carroll County for a new job and I just read new job postings for Supervisor for Purchasing and Assistant Superintendent for Business Services.
It’s a sad day when one man can come into a county and dismantle it in one year, while replacing the outgoing position holders with his friends.
BOE, you are failing us by not looking into the dealings of this man.
Jon O’Neal needed to go…He was an overpaid jerk who treated teachers like the dirt on the bottom of his shoe…I feel sorry for Carrol County if that is indeed where he is going. Here is one teacher doing the happy dance that he is gone….His sidekick Haas is no longer here to support him. As much as I do not like Tomback I hope Tomback gave it to him good on the way out the door…..
I am a teacher in the county and have also taught in two other counties in Maryland- Anne Arundel and Prince Georges. I am not upset about the lack of step or COA- while teaching in both of the counties mentioned above the step and COA were suspended, but then were given back. My concern is the health care issue. According to the board’s own websight, “State law mandates that these labor contracts include such items as employee work hours, salary, healthcare benefits, and working conditions.” Both Tomback and the Board of Ed are going against what is on their own websight, claiming the healthcare is something that has never been negotiated before. Perhaps it was not negotiated because it has never been so drastically changed. I just want the superintendent and board to follow the rules…
As far as Tomback goes…
1) I knew as a teacher we were in for a long ride when at a Baord meeting filled with teachers last year- Tomback, after being introduced, thanked everyone- board of ed, students and parents, but NOT teachers- what a slap in the face!
2) 10% bonus- for what?
3) People on the selection committees tell me that Tomback was their last choice, how did he get the job….
4) the man needs some social skills classes. If he came to observe my class and he saw a student as disengaged as Tomback was at the board meeting when the young lady “called him out”, I am sure I would have a Cause and Concern sitting in my file…
Good luck with getting Mr. Tomback and the Board of Ed to “follow the rules.” They can’t even enforce “simple” rules such as that of enforcing a dress code…one written with the intent of keeping the focus on the safety of our children (wearing closed shoes and not flip flops or 4 inch heels) and attention where it should be (not on the cleavage of an inappropriately dressed female.) Hopefully, the newly elected school board members will address such failings when they are seated: Just follow and enforce the rules already in place rather than making up a whole bunch of new ones TO COVER THE FACT YOU HAVEN’T ENFORCED THE RULES ALREADY ON THE BOOKS!
Dress code?? I thought they got rid of that judging by how so many of the children are dressing in school now.
There is a dress code; it’s just hard to tell. Even the private schools have a hard time enforcing dress codes.
It is hard to enforce the kind of dress code policy that most of society does not adhere to. While the school system should encourage staff to set an example of “dressing for success” even this is difficult at times. The only real solution to this problem (if you consider it to be one) would be to mandate school uniforms, but even then some students will try to push the envelope.
So the real question here is why have a policy if it is not going to be consistently enforced across all county schools? The Superintendent and Board need to consider these factors when making such policies. To have a policy and not adequately enforce it is worse than having no policy at all. What this does is create an environment where everyone begins to take liberties with policies of their choosing which undermines overall discipline. Too often policies are well intended, good in theory, look good on paper but are difficult to implement or enforce at the ground level.
I am in favor of a reasonable dress code policy but the current one may need to be revised if it is no longer acceptable to the students and their parents, and the school administration does not have the courage or wherewithal to enforce it.
I do believe the dress code needs to be updated. A little over a decade ago when I was in high school they strictly enforced the dress code. I remember that they would measure the girls shorts by making them hold their hands by their sides and the shorts could not be any shorter than their middle finger. Some of the things that I see students wearing are far to revealing for an educational situation. There are now students as young as middle school texting in class as well. I believe so of the policies that are currently in force need to be reviewed and a panel of students, teachers, parents and board members need to update them to ensure safety and an appropriate learning environment.
It would take only a few days if the dress code were discussed at the beginning of the year in an assembly and then enforcement be strictly followed. A few kids get disciplined and then the others will fall in line accordingly. I am so tired of people just letting things like this slide…it’s an easy thing to abide by and to enforce. If such enforcement were mandated and followed of these “simple” rules with consistency, maybe we’d see better adherence to the other rules against profanity and respectful behavior. Parents who do work hard to teach their children civil behavior and dress are constantly undermined by the failure to enforce the rules as written at school. While I love the idea of uniforms, Mr. Frisch’s comment of “kids pushing the envelope” there is just such an attitude that must be fought against. Make the rule and stick to it. Don’t let kids be disrespectful and use profanity ad nauseum in school…it will go a long way toward a more productive school experience. Distractions as I mentioned in my previous post are being addressed by some schools: HdG Middle School will make girls go put on their gym shorts if they are wearing shorts too short. THAT’S kind of stance our schools should be taking: no nonsense and enforcement with readily available tools. Why can’t all the teachers be required to abide by the tenets of appropriate “professional” dress, as well? I worry about the ability of a teacher to reach a child who has fallen or been injured in school when they wearing flip-flops or other inappropriate footwear. They’re grown-ups and must be required provide the proper example for their students.
Seems to me when I, as a taxpayer, send my child to an HCPS school, I am agreeing to the “contract” of ensuring that my child will abide by the policies and regulations as set forth in the “handbook.” If the schools fail to also abide by those same precepts, they are failing to abide by that same “contract.” There’s a term for that….hmmmm, oh Joe Caruso?! Help me out with this one if you would be so kind!
Interested Observer,
I agree with you. If administration was willing to take the heat from some disgruntled students and parents (suspensions would probably have to occur in some cases – and we all know that makes specific schools look bad) they could set the standard of conduct and dress early in the year. Once you let control slip away it is extremely difficult to get it back. However, the reality is that some administrators do not see the dress code as a major issue when they are facing problems with not making AYP or other concerns. The only way this issue is settled is with leadership from the Superintendent and the Board to make sure policy is being followed. Until that happens the inconsistencies will continue. Teachers voicing such concerns usually fall on deaf ears. If you want to force directed compliance form the top then parents will need to be the drivers on this issue. Unfortunately those that let their children out of the house dressed inappropriately don’t care, those that follow the rules say they are already doing their part, which continues to leave teachers in the middle.
The current dress code isn’t that old. If the dress code were inforced and parents were called at work to bring in new clothes or pick up the little angel, people would follow the dress code. The one year I taught in HCPS, my observation was that girls could wear anything they wanted as long as they looked good. If a girl was overweight or had big boobs, she would be sent to the office. Some girls brought a change of clothes, so even if someone was watching at home, it wouldn’t have mattered. My experience was some years ago and before the baggy pants trend.
My main point is this: If you enforce the SIMPLE rules like “dress code” strictly, the “HARD” ones will be easier to enforce. We have to hold the HCPS to their rules in order to ensure that our, the parents’, rules are not undermined. The current attitude of “no referrals, it make “us” (HCPS/the individual school) look bad must end. Those parents who are engaged and making their kids “follow the rules” can not continue to be undermined and those parents who aren’t “engaged” will have to learn to live with the consequences of that choice. These are important parts of societal mores and will, ultimately (despite the inconveniences to their parents) serve the students well in the long run.
I am all in favor of a dress code but what about the teachers? In some schools there are many young teachers who dress and act inappropriately. My daughter’s English teacher had her underwear and stomach hanging out. I can assure you the kids didn’t respect her, not just for that, but other reasons too. Depending on the principal, the students are held to higher standards than some of the teachers. I am sorry if teachers get offended, but there are definitely ones that are completely unprofessional. I have asked the administration at the school to deal with it, and same things happen so either they don’t deal with it, or those people figure they can do what they want. I don’t know which it is…
Many would fight it, but uniforms ARE the answer. Other countries have uniforms in public schools and it works well in private schools here. I know of many pro’s and can’t think of any con’s for it… besides, the kids are already wearing the same uniforms with Aero or Hollister on them and don’t even realize it…
InterestedObserver,
You are right on target.
How does everyone feel about mandatory school uniforms for all grades. Kaki or black pants (no jeans) for boys, similar slacks or skirts for girls, and designated colored (to match school colors) polo or button down shirts and blouses. If you agree with such a mandatory policy how would you deal with parents that cannot afford school specific clothes or those parents/students that refuse to comply out of personal preference?
I am aware of situations where the school contacted a parent regarding student attire and when the parent arrived at the school it was easy to see why the child was dressed the way they were. The apple did not fall from the tree as they say. These parents saw nothing wrong with the way their child was dressed and admonished staff – accusing them of being perverts for looking at their daughters breasts or worse if race or culture were involved. Is it no wonder that staff and administration shy away from these issues. It only takes an accusation to ruin your reputation or career. So if your school administration will not enforce the rule why would a teacher risk doing so?
I am not saying that I agree with that I just bring it up as a matter of perspective. Which brings me back to my earlier post that is if parents want such policies established and enforced they must be willing to get involved, voice their concerns to their specific school administration, and pressure the superintendent and school board to force compliance.
As for staff that have questionable attire it has been my observation that this circumstance usually (not always) applies to younger teachers. Ultimately standards of professional dress for staff are enforced at the school level.
We have found the cost of school uniforms to be significantly less than providing multiple outfits for weeks of wear. There is never a question about what to wear today. School uniforms are typically made from sturdy materials that stand up to repeated washing and only a few are necessary for an entire year. Meanwhile, the kids are all dressed alike and they can concentrate on learning instead of comparing each others clothing. It’s hard for a girl to dress up as a “prostitot” in a uniform. Obviously it would have to be mandated by law to get compliance and there would be some idiots that just have to fight it in court. It’s a pie in the sky dream that will never happen. While we’re at it, I’d like to see a class cover the idea that paying $100+ for a pair of sneakers that some sweat shop turned out in China or Vietnam for a buck fifty – material and labor included – is just plain stupid. Teach kids that fat cats in mansions are laughing at their stupidity…
Both of my kids wear/wore uniforms in high school. Although they have very different personalities, both of them like uniforms.
Over the long-term, uniforms are less expensive once the kids stop growing. Some schools have uniform exchanges at the end of the school year and that lowers the cost too. Seniors at my daughter’s school were allowed to wear the college sweatshirt for any college where they had been accepted to give them a break from uniforms. Both of my kids’ schools also had out of uniform days as rewards and as fundraisers (bring in $2 for the Cancer Society and you don’t have to wear your uniform).
This will sound petty and mean in writing, but it is something I noticed at both of my kids’ schools: once you get used to uniforms, if you stand outside a school that doesn’t have them, the kids look unkempt.
I think uniforms are great.
It’s a situation that bears thought…even though, in an attempt to push the issue through quickly (for whatever reason), the issue was explored and voted on (by high schoolers, I understand) and defeated within the last two years. How about we start with the easy/-ier solution: Be absolutely adamant about the current dress code, enforce it strictly (with “acceptable” alternatives on hand for those who choose to not abide by the dress code: gym uniforms and/or sweatpants & shirts in winter Nothing more and nothing less: You choose to violate dress code? THIS is your consequence. Zero tolerance. Period.). If the students and their parents find it too onerous to shop for and purchase only appropriate/acceptable clothing then, maybe, they’ll acquiesce to a uniform policy.
I am not sure I am 100% for uniforms…they do have many, many advantages but, like has been pointed out, would require a lot more effort than just ENFORCING WHAT IS ALREADY ON THE BOOKS! Somehow, the cat is always chasing its own tail over the simplest of concepts and diluting the real issues: horrific math and english curricula that are requiring remediation classes for HS graduates…at our local community college. Gahhhh! What do we want from our school system? To provide a SCHOLASTIC and ACADEMIC preparation for students in order to either further their education on a college level or prepare them for a life after school. BOTH require the abilities to do basic math, and to read and write the English language with a modicum of reason and comprehension. Why do we allow ourselves to let these petty matters consume our attention while the Dept. of Education and the N.E.A. work their smoke and mirrors games in all efforts to internationalize our education and separate our children from all efforts we make to raise caring, compassionate, and productive adults with goals and aspirations beyond wearing the latest Hollister “prostitot” gear? Put an end to the petty distractions and get on with the proper education of our future work force.
And by the way, I do agree with fedup and not from here: fat cats laugh all the way to the bank while our kids spend 2500% ( +/- ;0/ )of the cost to manufacture the shoddy products they are foisting on our kids, today…the clothes look unkempt when they come off the rack! Uniforms do look nicer…but then one must refer to my last post to see where I stand on the process of that undertaking.
InterestedObserver,
You are quite right there are other issues to address in the HCPS system.
While the superintendent touts systemwide success as reported in the recently published MSA results I also see areas of concern. Rt. 40 schools continue to lag behind the rest of the county. There are also isolated instances of lower scores in schools in more affluent areas of the county. Edgewood Middle School appears to be turning the corner on a history of poor test performance. Their staff is to be congratulated. Mr. Tomback ought to clone the staff, or bottle the elixir, and ship them/it to the rest of the county.
Harford County continues to be one of the better school systems in Maryland with the lions share of credit going to classroom teachers who are the ones doing the real work of educating our children. But recent actions by the superintendent and the school board give me pause and put all their hard work at risk. It is well accepted that the classroom teacher is the person within the school system that has the greatest impact on student performance and academic success. Quality teachers are hard to come by and still harder to retain. The superintendent and the school board need to be reminded that their greatest resource is the classroom teacher, not new school buildings or technology, but those that work with students every day.
You are right about the pretty new buildings and fancy equipment not meaning a thing if Sally can’t read. People were shocked that we were taking our son out of shiny new Patterson Mill. But HCPS is moving away from a solid college prep curriculum for those headed for college, and I have no idea what is done for those who are headed someplace else.
To address the writer’s concern about lower scores on the standardized tests (especially AP tests) The problem is that despite having well prepared lessons to address the content, the students are frequently pulled out of instruction for athletics and social activities. In the fall and spring, every day at least one third of the students (and the teachers if they are coaches) are missing after 12:30 p.m. due to the “school bus curriculum” which states that buses transporting kids to athletic events trumps all instruction. Some administrators also frequently allow kids to attend “club days”, “honor’s breakfasts”, “student-faculty basketball games”, “FFA picnics”, or just about any excuse to go to Harford Glen for the day and have a social pow-wow” If you could get this new curriculum guy to abolish all of this stuff the scores would have to rise, after all the kids would be IN class for the instruction! As far as this uniform thing . . . To the guy who wants to be on the school board. . . great, YOU come in the school and go into and out of all the classes and enforce the dress code, and just LET US TEACH. Even if we did interrupt our instruction to send a student to the office (all of this eats away at good teaching) nothing would be done, they would just send the kid back, so why bother?
TP: If the system does what it is supposed to do (i.e. enforcing the rules that are in place) then the students being removed from class will be maintaining the appropriate GPA’s to support removal from class to participate in these sanctioned “extra-curricular” activities. Those who “can’t cut the mustard” and do the work necessary to maintain that GPA while participating in sports, etc., will have to “pay the piper” and be removed from the activity until their grades support participation.
This shouldn’t require any more effort than looking at the GPA and determining eligibility. Not good enough? Sorry, you’re off the team until you understand the classwork is most important and “extra-curricular” means just that: outside of sufficiently performed academic performance. Again, as has been mentioned before: BLOCK SCHEDULING IS THE PROBLEM not extra-curricular. Those attending “Honors Breakfasts” have earned the right to participate by excelling in the classroom…THEY are not the ones pulling the AP scores down! You, the teachers, need to re-iterate the need for consistency throughout the system. Zero Tolerance needs to mean Zero Tolerance. No discussion, no “searching” for dress code infractions, no “maybes” but “definites” that state: These are the rules; abide by them or go home. Fail to maintain compliance? SOMEBODY has to pay the CONSEQUENCE of that choice. There’s no need to take away “instructional” time.
The administrators need to put down the newspaper, get off the computer, not attend another luncheon, and do their jobs: SUPPORT the academic environment which they have been charged with administrating. Sooner or later, the message will be made clear: This is an Academic and Scholastic environment which MAY be enhanced with “extra-curricular” activities IF you earn them by behaving properly and earning the grades required to participate. THIS ISN’T rocket science, folks. It’s common sense…no matter what Mark Wolkow wants you to think and be distracted by.
It is mighty hard to believe that ‘at least one third’ of the students are out of class on any given day due to athletics. Even if 1/3 of the students participate in athletics, the chance that every athlete is at an away game on one given day is mighty unlikely.
TP,
You make my case exactly. I am a classroom teacher and know your frustration when you try to do the right thing and are not backed up by the administration. If the administration within each school were made to enforce to rules classroom teachers would be relieved of this nuisance distraction and unnecessary interruption to instruction. Your sending a student to the office only to be returned to class without the situation being addressed and corrected is a failure of leadership by those administrators. Not only is it a waste of your time but undermines your authority and credibility with students. They are quick to perceive, and rightly so in the circumstance you describe, that you lack the power and authority to manage your own classroom. If you do have control over such a minor issue as dress code what authority do you really have. None!
As a supervisor and commander when with the Baltimore City Police Department I viewed myself as a facilitator for those under my command so that they could do their work with as little interference as possible. Since they were the ones doing the real work it was my responsibility to remove obstacles and provide support of their mission.
With regard to the dress code, school administrators should be standing at the door and pulling aside student violators and not let get into a classroom. Parents should be called immediately and a change of clothing brought to school. After the student is properly dressed they can then proceed to class. That is proactive leadership and relieves YOU and all other classroom teachers from having to deal with such matters.
It all really boils down to leadership. Managers steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course. I am a leader and we need more of those at all levels of the school system.
TP,
Last sentence, first paragraph should read – If you do “not” have control …
I completly agree with you 100 percent. I have worked in the schools for aprox 6 years, I have been in the military managed departments, worked for many private sector companies, and with youth as well, if we dont have a clear and consice message to our students of what we expect, and we dont hold them accountable and follow through as leaders we are not leading the students. Administrators must back the teachers period, If a student is wrong we need to correct that behavior ASAP. basicly you have got to have a “pair” when you run a school and do the right thing
Thanks for the support. Can I count on your vote and/or your passing the word to support me in the upcoming Board of Education election? Leadership in the school system must start there. You can reach me at bobfrischboe@gmail.com
well your right, and I support what I believe is right, The students come first but we must educate them to be leaders of tommorow and productive citizens, and have manors, and do the right thing, and alot of this is not taught in the schools any more
when is the election? Can you see that youll vote for employee pay raises
The primary election is Sept. 14th. All school board candidates within a given district (this year districts A, B, and D) will be on the ballot together. The top two vote getters from the primary will face off against each other in the general election with the winner to represent their district on the board.
I have always held that the quality of education students receive is most directly related to the quality of the teacher in the classroom. You get what you pay for and recent issues involving pay and benefits put Harford County at risk of being able to attract and retain the highest quality teachers. I believe there is room within the school budget to stop the bleeding and will do all I can to reverse the recent trend.
its not Just the teachers, its support staff as well, everyone involved the pay needs to be competitive
I agree. I didn’t mean to shortchange any other employees of the system. All play their respective and important roles in delivering a quality educational system to the students. I understand that people are the most valuable asset that any organization possesses. When leadership takes care of its’ people they will take care of the organization. Mutual respect and understanding is what gets organizations through difficult times, without it the difficulties compound themselves at the expense of the consumer – in this case the students and their parents.
I like the way you think
As a rule, I would not vote for a classroom teacher for the Board of Education simply because I believe that the risk is too great that their loyalties would be too strongly toward the Harford County classroom teachers rather than the school system as a whole.
I am not accusing any candidates in this race of biases, but it is simply my personal opinion that the possibilities for these tendencies are greater when a member of the board is also in a similar position as those they are overseeing, whether as a teacher or an administrator, in another system.
The board during the last 15 years has consistantly disregarded what is good for students. I would take my chances with a classroom teacher or a retired teacher; unfortunately, my district does not have a candidate this election.
I was really disappointed when Nancy Reynolds got passed over for an appointed board member spot when Harford County sent the gov two choices for two spots (another dumb move). She was a retired middle school principal–and was a take no prisoners by the book kind of administrator.
So, my view is that knowing somehtin about the class room trumps knowing nothing about the classroom, which is the category where most current members fall.
Nope,
“As a rule” would indicate to me that you would at least look closely at the candidates and if you found a teacher superior to the other candidates would vote for them. There will be nine members on the school board and I am certain that all will not be teachers or have a past connection to the education profession.
I believe a diversity of opinion is not only desirable but necessary for a truely effective school board. All stakeholders should be represented, parents, teachers, the business community, tax payers, students, etc.
During my career in the Baltimore City Police Dept. I spent some time assigned to the Internal Affairs Div. The fact that I wore a badge gave me a law enforcement perspective but did not influence the facts of a complaint. I let the chips fall as they may. The result was exoneration of officers in some cases and sustained allegations in others resulting in various levels of discipline to include dismissal. I had the duty/responsibility and the ability to separate my badge from those I was investigating and do what was in the best interests of the police dept. and the citizens of Baltimore.
Because the school board makes policy decisions that directly affect students in the classroom and those that have to follow those policies I believe that having such perspective is vital to establishing good policy that serves the best interests of the students in the classroom.
FYI, as a rule, I also think that declared candidates for public office should identify themselves as such in a signature line in all posts. Readers may not be aware that these candidates have mentioned their intentions in previous posts. This would provide a valuable insight to their opinions that would not always be apparent simply by reading their posts.
Fair enough. But most readers here are regulars and are aware from previous posts that I and Lorrie are declared candidates, she in District D (northern Harford County) and me from District A (Edgewood/Joppatowne/Joppa). Generally if I am stating a position I would take as a Board member I identify myself as a candidate, if just rendering an opinion usually not.
Bob Frisch
candidate Board of Education District A
Thank you for the introduction Bob!! My internet has been a bit iffy for the last couple days, due to weather and faulty installation, so I haven’t been able to be as active as normal on here but hopefully they have the issue fixed now. For those who don’t know me, my name is Lorrie Warfield and I am a 1998 graduate of North Harford High School and a 2003 graduate of HCC. I have two little girls in the HCPS system, 2nd and 3rd graders. I am currently a stay at home mom, for the last 7 years, other than some work in the family landscape business. I am very excited to be the new team manager for the U-9 Northern Elite girls soccer team. I am dedicated to ensuring that the children of this county receive the best possible education. I want to be the voice of the community on the school board. I will be available at all times in person, by email or by phone. I do not believe that any concern that is had by a student, teacher, parent or resident of this county is too small to receive my attention. I am a candidate for District D, as Bob had mentioned, which includes; Jarrettsville, Norrisville, Pylesville, Darlington, Dublin and parts of Forest Hill. I hope that in the coming months you will all get a chance to know me better and realize that I would be a excellent candidate for the position. This is an wonderful opportunity for Harford County to finally have some say in those who represent us on the Board of Education. Even if I am not chosen for the position I hope to have an important role in shaping the future of the children of this county. An education is one of the most important things that one can possess, it is not to be taken lightly.
Lorrie Warfield
Candidate-Board of Education District D
I just read the article in the Aegis on the hiring of yet another member of the HCPS bureaucracy – the director of community engagement, equity and cultural proficiency – who was unanimously approved by the school board on July 12th. I am a candidate in District D for the Board of Ed – and a retired teacher – and my question is – couldn’t the Board have found better use for the almost $152,000 in salary and benefits for this position? How about hiring 3 or 4 additional teachers? I am about to be very politically incorrect when I wonder just why we need this position at the Board. “He will oversee staff development programs on equity and cultural proficiency.” To me this means that he will create activities to be done by teachers on In-service days that have little value and less application to the teaching of the students in their classrooms. “Planning Multi-cultural activities for students” sounds like creation of assemblies for which students will lose valuable time in class. “He will lead resolution of milti-cultural issues in the schools”. I’m not certain just what a “multi-cultural issue” is but it seems that within a school the principal should be able to handle this duty, and if the principal needs assistance I’m sure the appropriate director should be able to assist. He will also “encourage and promote parent, community and business support and advise the superintendent on equity and multicultural needs of the school system”. This is public relations and I believe the district already has that covered. As far as advising the superintendent…maybe the Board of Education should have done that instead of unanimously approving the creation of this position. The main question I have is how does this position and the corresponding expenditure directly benefit students (all students) in the classroom?
I agree 100%. When they announced this job at the BOE meeting, they didn’t say what this person was going to do. It sounds a lot like a PR job and there are already several people working in PR. I guess too I don’t quite understand the overwhelming need for someone to deal with multicultural diversity, and am glad to see the impact it would have on what a teacher would have to do.
Until you leave this county and go work somewhere where there people from all different socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds you really can’t experience “cultural diversity.” My son attends a public univeristy where there are Indians, African Americans and many other ethnic groups but they all have something in common and many of them are middle or upper middle class. If you went to teach diversity, make the kids take the MTA bus for a few weeks in Baltimore City. Just kidding of course, but whenever my kids go to the city they feel like they have just gone to a whole different world, and I don’t think any sort of in school activity will be able to teach that.
Why does someone need to make that much money when they sit behind a desk? Come do my job for a week and tell me how much i should make?
They need more PR people to sing the HCPS are great song until everyone believes it. This position makes perfect sense.
Martha you are aware this job was created by condensing 10 jobs into 8 jobs? That saved a quarter of a million dollars already. Martha also I am not sure you are aware that some of these duties are required by COMAR for all school systems. I also wonder why it took you this long to find out about this. It has been out for about 2 weeks and you just found out. As a school board candidate I would hope you would be more up on these issues. I thought you might now some of the applicable educational laws in this state that require this position. In other counties that have a whole office of people to do this job. Perhaps if you are a serious candidate instead of opinining about this you might educate yourself so you do not look like you are clueless. Alas for you I do not live in district D so you don’t have to worry about my not voting for you. Just a suggestion instead of opining on something with no background do a little research. Especially when it is about 2 weeks after it happened.
CDEV, Maybe Mrs. Dauphinais was on vacation for a few weeks. As far as I know too, there were no qualifications for any school board candidate in the past that they know anything about COMAR and/or other school related issues. Some of them had never set foot in a school or in a board meeting. At this point, it is refreshing to have a perspective from someone who has worked in the trenches. You yourself have repeatedly talked about what the teachers have to do.
As an aside, my son had Mrs. Dauphinais for a math teacher for AP Calculus and another math class. She is an excellent teacher who took the extra time to help her students and make sure they knew the material and were well prepared. I told him she was running for the school board and he had nothing but praise for her.
Just pointing out to be a competant school board member she should tak the time to look these things up. She needs to be intimately familiar with COMAR regulations else she lands this county in a law suit!
CDEV,
Since you are so well versed in the COMAR Regulations, can you enlighten us as to how HCPS has been able to operate up until now without this administrative position?
I think maybe Martha is right when thinking that this might be another high paid person at the central office whose position isn’t really needed. In which case, it could’ve been a situation of condensing 10 positions into 7 — thus allowing that $150,000+ to be used elsewhere….perhaps in places that would actually help further academic instruction like she suggested.
They have had a job that did this function. If you read the dagger article about the 10 jobs that became 8 you will see easily which job it was before. Either way I am not the school board candidate. I would think the voters in that district would want a board member who knows what the school board can and can not do.
Amen, Martha. This is nothing more then padding central office. I even question how Tomback to say he’s saving $185,000 (not a quarter of a million, CDEV) with consolidating the positions. As for COMAR regulations, a quick Google search turned up regulations on special ed., gifted education (ha ha), home schooling, private schools, fraud detection, but somehow nothing on multi-cultural enlightenment. I can’t belive for a minute that this position would be required. In a year when we are all doing more with less, it would be nice to see those who live in the Taj Mahal on Hickory avenue join the rest of us.
Do you know what COMAR is? …… Let me know and then you might know why a google search is not the most appropriate tool.
It is easy to see why this saved money 10 jobs (that is 10 employees) became 8 jobs (eight employees). That is two less people being paid!
Justamom–Cdev only accepts ERIC database research. Google is not good enough.
Expecting a school board candidate to know everything about everything is just ridiculous. They really just need to know WHEN they should look up something. With any luck, the new board members will do some homework when subjects come up unlike the current board.
Cdev–Comar is, indeed, available through a Google search.
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/
Currently, there is no need for the existing school board members to “do their homework” as Mark Wolkow does it all for them…including telling them what to think and how to vote. If he even bothers to bring any issues to their attention at all before making his own unilateral decisions. He’s the biggest problem with HCPS…truly.
Not from here that is not a google search. The tool you point to is an appropriate tool for this job. What does COMAR stand for? What is it. Look I do not expect the person to know everything but I do expect them to know enough to realize they need to go to the appropriate place and not just open their mouth with out checking into it first. Google is not that place. An example is to type in “Octopus” and see what comes up.
COMAR is Maryland Education Law. Go to the MSDE website and it’ll tell you what you want to know.
Off Topic, is it true that the dagger is now blocked for all HCPS workers? I’ll have to see when I get back.
Neal,
If true could you please let me know immediately.
Bob Frisch
Board of Education candidate
District A (Edgewood/Joppatowne/Joppa)
bobfrischboe@gmail.com
My wife was in her building on friday and was able to read a dagger article
hmmm censorship…or campaining by controlling exposer / access….hmmm????
NYET in my country!
GO DAGGER !!!
Year two of Tomback. Has the state of HCPS improved? Would like to see another article from Cindy Mumby.
Coming soon…
To those that were asking, COMAR is the Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations. They can be found online for free at michie’s legal resources, http://www.michie.com/maryland/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp= COMAR is not the Maryland Education Law, as one person stated, though, education is one of the titles of the regulations, as is insurance, family, and a number of other titles that play part in the school system. As COMAR deals with regulations, laws, I don’t think a school board member, unless they have proper legal training, should intertpret these, that is what we have lawyers for.
@ Paul, What are you talking about?
Read the prior comments. I was responding to them.
@ Paul, Do you think that lawyers are the only people capable of reading and interpreting COMAR?
Yes and no. I think someone with proper legal training could very well read and interpret COMAR. Typically, those are lawyers, however, there are others with the education, background, experience to handle that.