Gazette: Standards Needed for Weast, too

...Weast's ideas for educational reform are important, but his programs and projects should be fully debated by the entire education community. On the budget, he should be subject to the same fiscal discipline as every other county officeholder and asked to justify his expenditures of public money as prudent, reasonable and effective.

Most importantly, as Weast heads toward the midpoint of his term as superintendent, it is time for the school board to establish realistic benchmarks against which his performance will be evaluated. This community is putting out a lot of money to pay for Weast's solutions to long-term problems. We need to be able to judge how well the solutions are working.

Gazette editorial, February 23, 2001

Gazette: Wasteful spending x 2

In tough economic times like these, the public high schools' electronic marquees running 24/7 and on holidays seem to be a wasteful luxury.

Over spring break, as well as early on weekend mornings, these signs run messages about school days off (in case a student forgets, I guess), time and temperature (even though the passerby is already outside). These messages certainly aren't vital and can usually be gotten on the car radio or just being an attentive parent. Nobody depends on this information.

The school system should consider turning off these marquees at certain times to save money.

Paul Eisenhaur, Rockville

Gazette, Letter to Editor May 6, 2009

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‘Green' efforts hindered by illuminated signs

Much has been written and debated over the current economic situation and budgetary cuts. Additionally, there has been a push countywide and within [Montgomery County Public Schools] to green up our schools. Yet there has been an explosion and proliferation of electric school signs throughout the county. My queries have received the response that the signs are paid for by private donations, not MCPS.

The reality, however, is that the signs need to be powered to run. The electricity that they draw to illuminate their words is not free. It has a cost to MCPS, and hence Montgomery County, as well as a cost to our environment. This means that the signs truly are not at no cost to the school, the school system or the county. They also are not green.

I propose that no additional electric signs should be approved if they are not powered by solar or an alternative free energy. In addition, the upkeep costs that arise from wiring issues need to have a system in place so MCPS is not the one paying the bills. I also suggest a mandatory shutdown of the signs during designated times. Although it is nice reading a sign that says, "Happy Summer Vacation," the nice feeling is not worth the cost of powering the sign.

Susan Avjian, North Potoma

Gazette, Lettor to Editor August 5, 2009

Time for a Change in Fiscal Authority?

Given the State BOE's decision this week on the Montgomery County request for a waiver of Maintence of Effort, perhaps it is an ideal time to start discussion on changes to the fiscal control structure of schools in Maryland.

The State BOE has effectively eliminated the County Council's legal standing as the School Systems "Fiscal Authority". The Local BOE has also engaged in legal challenges to this relationship through its actions over the past several years, laying its stake in the ground as a "State Agency" as opposed to a "local" one, then using this status to dodge scrutiny of our Inspector General.

Okay,
Maybe it's time we abandon this worthless system of Government checks and balances. Separate MCPS from County Government. Give the BOE fiscal authority and property tax rate setting authority. This is the case in much of the Country, just not in Maryland.

While it sounds out of character for me to be proposing this. I'm willing to admit I might have been wrong.

Maybe giving the BOE taxing authority is just what we need to impose fiscal responsibility on our Board of Education. Bond referendums and millage rate setting are things school boards all over America have to do.

Why do we let Pat O'Neill escape from having to ask the community for funding, while she calls community members who care about our schools a "Pain in the Ass"?

Bob Astrove