For Those of You Who Still Think PGCPS is Fixable (Bowie: bankrupt, school district)

[adelphi_sky]

Please DO NOT shoot the messenger. I don't have a comment either way on this......yet.

The Prince George’s County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to reserve half of all taxes from gaming revenue generated by the billion-dollar MGM casino for public schools, libraries and community colleges.

Half of MGM casino revenue to fund schools and libraries in Pr. George

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Please DO NOT shoot the messenger. I don't have a comment either way on this......yet.



Half of MGM casino revenue to fund schools and libraries in Pr. George

That's interesting since the taxes from all gambling venues (not Lottery) is mixed together in the same pot for disbursement.

EDIT: The hosting jurisdiction gets a bit more for doing that. Ok, I see what they mean.

[CBMD]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

I disagree. Highly dysfunctional is not accurate at all. Is there mismanagement? Yes. But I think PGCPSS is more salvageable now than it ever was.

"Highly dysfunctional" is what you saw in Detroit. That is not the case here. Ongoing mismanagement certainly doesn't help matters though.

How about "sub par" ?

Or "less than optimum" ? Or waaay less than optimum?

Or simply, 2nd/3rd last in the state.

I don't buy the argument that the problems are due to a big unwieldy system.

Exhibit one, MoCo.

[CBMD]

I'm having trouble following NBP's logic here. He says he "enjoyed" (maybe should have said "endured") his time at PGCPS up until recently, all the while the system was in disrepute. This implies the shortcomings identified didn't deter. Yet the thread title implies "unfixable". Did it take 31 years to arrive at that conclusion?


Now retired, the shortcomings are a problem. I'll also note that most though not all of the shortcomings identified relate to personal/individual personnel issues rather than system wide issues, retirement checks excepted.


FWIW, whether you agree or disagree with the school board takeover, I think it was an incredibly brave political move by Baker, as was his proposed tax hike, and I say that as someone who has not now, never had, and never will have kids in the system.


I am however close to someone who works with the system, and as I understand it, PGCPS has more than its fair share of sub par teachers. That is not to say that is the only problem, but it usually takes more than a few people (unless they are dictators), to create a poor system.The issues won't get resolved until there are higher standards all round.

[North Beach Person]

You learn to work around the problems. They're there but you adjust.

No paper to do tests? Then screw it, buy your own.

Contradictory directives? Follow them but keep a paper trail.

Building administrators don't show up until noon? Things often run better when they're not there.

I think what set me off was the insurance stuff is so ****ing simple, you send the list to the insurers the same day every month. And someone forgot.

[cool rob]

I mean in 31 years, it seems like you may have just been the constant complaining type, why didint you become an administrator and try and change some of the policies instead of just moaning about it?

From my understanding the good teachers are always taken out of the classrooms for admin jobs, no offense, but maybe you were more part of the problem than you realize? Im sure the "just a regular check" attitude transcended down to students and admin alike? possibly?

I'm by no means saying PGCPS is an example of being perfect, but jeez dude you are painting a picture like it was joe clark era lean on me high!

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by cool rob

I mean in 31 years, it seems like you may have just been the constant complaining type, why didint you become an administrator and try and change some of the policies instead of just moaning about it?

From my understanding the good teachers are always taken out of the classrooms for admin jobs, no offense, but maybe you were more part of the problem than you realize? Im sure the "just a regular check" attitude transcended down to students and admin alike? possibly?

I'm by no means saying PGCPS is an example of being perfect, but jeez dude you are painting a picture like it was joe clark era lean on me high!

Your understanding is wrong.

Do you remember the "career teacher," the person who teaches because they enjoy being in the classroom with the kids? Not many of these types left. Why? Because a large portion of teachers burn out after about 5 years because of the insanity of having to both try and educate the kids and deal with the ever increasing bureaucratic hassles. At that point, they move to become targeted reading or math specialists, the ones with the grand plans move into administration, the rest get the heck out as quickly as possible.

Anyone who put in 30+ years in the PG system deserves a pat on the back, not a half-informed attempt at shame because they have the audacity to point out the flaws they observed over their 3 decades of direct experience and dare to offer a opinion about it.

[neirbod]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

Anyone who put in 30+ years in the PG system deserves a pat on the back, not a half-informed attempt at shame because they have the audacity to point out the flaws they observed over their 3 decades of direct experience and dare to offer a opinion about it.

Totally agree. Some of the comments to NBP are way off base.

[lee_in_beechtree]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

You learn to work around the problems. They're there but you adjust.

No paper to do tests? Then screw it, buy your own.

Contradictory directives? Follow them but keep a paper trail.

Building administrators don't show up until noon? Things often run better when they're not there.

It sounds like you were passionate about making sure your students got the best possible education.

My brother and SIL were both like this, with no interest in moving up the ladder. They both had many children from low income families in their classes and the associated challenges. When materials were low, they bought them on their own. When they stayed late at the school, they brought homework and tests home to grade (I remember helping them do this).

I think what set me off was the insurance stuff is so ****ing simple, you send the list to the insurers the same day every month. And someone forgot.

Totally understandable because you thought you might actually be able to relax a little in your retirement.

[cool rob]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

Your understanding is wrong.

Do you remember the "career teacher," the person who teaches because they enjoy being in the classroom with the kids? Not many of these types left. Why? Because a large portion of teachers burn out after about 5 years because of the insanity of having to both try and educate the kids and deal with the ever increasing bureaucratic hassles. At that point, they move to become targeted reading or math specialists, the ones with the grand plans move into administration, the rest get the heck out as quickly as possible.

Anyone who put in 30+ years in the PG system deserves a pat on the back, not a half-informed attempt at shame because they have the audacity to point out the flaws they observed over their 3 decades of direct experience and dare to offer a opinion about it.

So don't B and Moan about it now then, the career teacher, as well as the career beat cop, and the career secretary and the career anybody who chooses to stay in there same grade for whatever reason thus ultimately failing to maximize their own potential always get's the short end of the stick at the end, what's new about that?

The "just for a check" attitude is a big part of the problem now, i'm sure it didnt happen over night, so when he felt himself becoming that person it was probably time for either a major career change, or regain his ambition and grab a nice reading specialist gig, or human resources gig, or VP gig, it's the way of the world bro

Congrats on getting through 30 years of that madness NBP, but come on i'm sure looking back there is a number of things you would have done diffrently, especially career wise