New report details failures at Montgomery County Public Schools over electric bus fleet

by Scott Taylor

Wed, August 21st 2024 at 5:12 PM

Updated Wed, August 21st 2024 at 8:02 PM

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — 7News has obtained a scathing assessment of how Montgomery County Public Schools is handling the nation’s largest fleet of electric school buses.

In the report, which parents have not seen, CESO, an expert on electric buses, informed MCPS that the actual cost of owning and operating an electric bus fleet remains unclear.

The claim of budget neutrality, or no net increase to the district’s budget to transition into electric buses, was constructed based on false assumptions and estimates...

New report details failures at Montgomery County Public Schools over electric bus fleet (wjla.com)

Board of Education Begins Search for Next Superintendent

The Board of Education (BOE) initiated its national search for a superintendent following former Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight’s stepping down and the appointment of Interim Superintendent Dr. Monique Felder.

The BOE intends to hire a search firm that will recruit and vet candidates...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/board-of-education-begins-search-for-next-superintendent/

After purchase of diesel vehicles, activists worry future of MCPS bus electrification is on fumes

In a move that has alarmed environmental activists, the Board of Education approved Montgomery County Public Schools’ request to purchase 90 additional diesel buses at its Oct. 12 meeting.

The decision is “shocking and says that the electric bus scheme has collapsed,” said Janis Sartucci, a member of the Montgomery County Parents’ Coalition, an advocacy and watchdog group, that has monitored MCPS’ bus electrification program.

The board approved a request from MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight to purchase and finance “90 transit-style diesel school buses” and the contract states that the board would fund and finance the buses over a six-year term for $14,749,919...

Activists worry future of MCPS' electric bus program is on fumes| MoCo360

Former MCPS Transportation Director Todd Watkins Sentenced to Probation.

Todd Watkins, the former Montgomery County Public Schools Department of Transportation director, was sentenced Wednesday to 200 hours of community service and will serve three years of supervised probation.

Watkins previously pled guilty to taking advantage of his position as a public official and stealing funds.

Watkins, 56, faced probation to six months in prison for pleading guilty to one count of misconduct.

According to court records, Watkins failed to properly manage the contract for school bus purchases and the use of purchasing cards, enabling Assistant Director of MCPS Department of Transportation Charles Ewald to steal more than $320,000...

Former MCPS Transportation Director Sentenced to Probation - Montgomery Community Media (mymcmedia.org)

MoCo Inspector General Report: MCPS Vendor Using Montgomery County Departments to Promote Image #BusPatrol

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/Resources/Files/PDF/oig_annual_report_fy_2019.pdf

August 11, 2018 screen shot from BusPatrol website.
The image and quote are no longer on the BusPatrol website.

While the above image and quote were removed from the BusPatrol website, the website is now using the MCPS logo to promote their product. 

BusPatrol website Nov. 29, 2021

MoCo Office of Inspector General Annual Report FY 2020: MCPS Preselected Vendor and Relied on Criminal Conspirators for Contract Vetting

The County learned about a vendor’s criminal conviction and other adverse information after entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to take over responsibilities related to a contract for the operation of the School Bus Safety Camera Program. The County learned that the vendor’s Chief Executive Officer and others associated with the contractor were convicted of crimes related to the operation of a similar camera program in another state. We found that MCPS used a “bridge contract” to facilitate the award of a contract to a preselected vendor. 

We found that County officials relied, at least in part, on information provided by one of the criminal conspirators in initially vetting the vendor and the program and continued to rely on vendor supplied information to determine the viability of the program. We also established that the County and vendor had not entered into an expected revenue agreement.

In response to our report, the CAO stated that the County would amend administrative procedures to require comprehensive vetting, more detailed work descriptions, and metrics. After our report was issued, the County entered into a revenue-sharing agreement with the vendor where they will obtain forty percent of all fines collected. Additionally, the vendor agreed to pay MCPS an additional $1.6 million in revenue-sharing. [Publication Number OIG-20-002: Montgomery County Police Department/Montgomery County Public Schools: Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the School Bus Safety Camera Program]...

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/Resources/Files/PDF/FY20_AnnualReport.pdf

With One Year Left, MCPS, MCEA Agree on Two-Year Contract

The Montgomery County Board of Education and the Montgomery County Education Association have agreed to a two-year contract, expiring June 30, 2022. The contract includes an increase in the minimum planning time guaranteed per week within the student day for elementary teachers; preference opportunities for special education; and updated language around professional development and co-teaching; supports for involuntary transfers; and increased “teacher time” during pre-service.

Staff can read the negotiated agreement with MCEA, as well as the agreements for Service Employees International Union (SIEU), Local 500 and the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP). More information is on the Department of Labor Relations webpage.

https://news.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/staff-bulletin/mcps-mcea-agree-on-two-year-contract/

former Student Member of the Board of Education Eric Guerci, who was on the BoE committee that picked Jack Smith. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a better public school leader in America.” Guerci now works for MCPS Interim Super. McKnight.

 Interim Superintendent Monifa McKnight Hires Former Student Member of the Board of Education Eric Guerci as her "Special Assistant," Includes him in Closed Door BOE Meetings.

What former Student Member of the Board of Education Eric Guerci said about former Superintendent Jack Smith: 

...“He’s the best in the business,” said former Student Member of the Board of Education Eric Guerci, who was on the BoE committee that picked Smith. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a better public school leader in America.”

Guerci, now a senior at Princeton, remains close with Smith. The two talk regularly over the phone — “about family, about life, about all sorts of things,” Guerci said.

Smith and Guerci worked together for a full year after MCPS reelected Guerci as SMOB, and the two developed a “special connection,” Guerci said. Smith’s abilities to push an agenda forward and send a clear message consistently impressed Guerci, he said — but the qualities that stood out the most to Guerci were showcased at one particularly memorable B–CC end-of-year event.

During a student awards ceremony, shortly before Guerci graduated in 2017, the then-SMOB sat in the audience unaware that he was a recipient of a schoolwide commendation. What stunned him when the principal called his name, however, wasn’t the accolade, but the identity of the presenter. The other winners received their honors from B–CC teachers, but there, awaiting a moved Guerci, was Smith.

“He had just taken the time out of his incredibly grueling schedule — he was working practically 24/7 — to drive down and present me with this award,” Guerci said. “To be there for me meant a whole, whole lot to me. It showed what kind of a person he is.”..

https://theblackandwhite.net/68853/news/deeply-committed-mcps-superintendent-retires-after-40-years-in-education/

Interim Superintendent McKnight Removes Superintendent Jack Smith's "Vision for the Future" Administrators. Where are they now?

Remember Superintendent Jack Smith's reorganization of MCPS in February of 2020?  

Today, Superintendent Jack Smith sent this message to staff about new administrative appointments and his vision for the future of MCPS. Congratulations to Dr. Janet Wilson, Essie McGuire and Derek Turner on their new roles! https://t.co/FPa7Y5Dodu @mocoboe pic.twitter.com/cKLcLY6dOa

— MCPS (@MCPS) February 10, 2020

As of July 1, 2021, Interim Superintendent Monifa McKnight has reorganized MCPS once again and all three of Jack Smith's "Vision of the Future" appointments are no longer in their positions.  Two are gone from MCPS and one has been moved to an undefined position within MCPS. 

• Janet Wilson was Jack Smith's Chief of Teaching, Learning and Engagement making $216,500. As of July 1, 2021, Ms. Wilson is now Senior Vice-President for Littera Solutions in Brooklyn, NY.

• Derek Turner was Jack Smith's Chief of Communications, Engagement and Innovation making $206,500. As of today, Mr. Turner is still a MCPS employee but on "special assignment" working under the Chief of Human Resources and Development.

• Essie McGuire was Jack Smith's Associate Superintendent of Operations making $186,500. Ms McGuire has returned to work for her previous employer, the Montgomery County Council as a Senior Legislative Analyst working on Education issues, including the Council's oversight of Montgomery County Public Schools.

MCPS, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES TOLD OF SEXUAL ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WALT WHITMAN TEACHER, CREW COACH

In a detailed letter, to the Whitman Crew Community, the Whitman Crew Boosters Board of Directors acknowledged it knew its coach may have had a sexual relationship in 2018 with a former crew member. They were also aware the relationship allegedly began following her graduation, and that the parent involved had reported it to both Montgomery County Public Schools and Child Protective Services.

Kirkland Shipley, a former social studies teacher and rowing coach at Walt Whitman High School, was arrested this week and charged with first and second-degree child sexual abuse of a secondary school student, according to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.

He currently is on paid administrative leave from Montgomery County Public Schools, according to an MCPS spokesperson.

In light of the allegations, the fall crew program, including Learn-to-Row, has been suspended, according to the letter, which My MCM received from the Parents’ Coalition of Montgomery County, MD...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-child-protective-services-told-of-sexual-allegations-against-walt-whitman-teacher-crew-coach/

@NVRDC has been hearing about other disturbing experiences shared by other community members after the arrest of Kirk Shipley, a teacher/rowing coach from Walt Whitman High School.

 

.@NVRDC has been hearing about other disturbing experiences shared by other community members after the arrest of Kirk Shipley, a teacher/rowing coach from Walt Whitman High School. If this case has triggered any questions/worry, pls reach out to us for services/support. pic.twitter.com/yM3uYrFUnF

— Network for Victim Recovery of DC (@NVRDC) August 31, 2021

How MCPS Superintendents Fib to the Board of Education or How a New High School will Get a New Cell Tower at the Front Entrance.

 May 13, 2021 Update:  As noted in our original blog post below, the memorandum from Superintendent Jack Smith to the Montgomery County Board of Education was not factual.  The Montgomery County Transmission Facility Coordinating Group had NOT approved the placement of a new cell tower at the Woodward High School site on Old Georgetown Road.  

This agenda item was pulled from the May 11th Board of Education Agenda during the meeting because the memorandum from Superintendent Jack Smith was not correct. 

On today's Board of Education Agenda is a perfect example of how MCPS Superintendents fib to the Montgomery County Board of Education.  

The Board of Education members are well aware of these continuing fibs and approve of this method of conducting public school business.

 Board of Education members are "trained" to not question what they are told by the superintendent and by MCPS staff.  The "job" of Montgomery County Board of Education members is to be a rubber stamp for the actions of superintendents. 

Today's example:  Superintendent Jack Smith wants to build a new cell tower at the new high school site on Old Georgetown Road.  In order to do that, the superintendent has to bypass the existing Board policy and procedure that calls for the Board of Education to approve new cell towers. Superintendent Smith doesn't want to put this matter before the Board of Education because for the past 10 years all new cell tower proposals have been rejected by parents and community members in Montgomery County. 

Here are the steps involved in bypassing the existing policy and sneaking in a new cell tower:

1. Do not give the Board of Education members the actual documents they are approving!  Just write a memo (see images) that refers to documents, but gives no details.

2.  Fib about the history of the issue.  In today's Board memo, Superintendent Jack Smith says that the Board of Education previously "entered into a telecommunications lease."  That never happened. The Board of Education never entered into cell tower leases.  Cell tower leases were all executed by previous Superintendent Jerry Weast without Board votes.

3. Mention an internal approval process but give NO DETAILS.  This memo says that MCPS DFM (Department of Facilities Management) staff reviewed a plan and found it acceptable.  Where is the plan? Why can't the Board of Education see the plan? What about parents and neighbors? They haven't seen the plan. Why can't they see the plan?  By referencing some vague approval it sounds as if the plans are just fine and no one should question them.  

4. Claim the Montgomery County Transmission Facility Coordinating Group (TFCG) has approved the new cell tower when they actually haven't.   This particular cell tower is actually listed as PENDING on the TFCG website.  The proposal has not been approved. 

5. Instead of using the word "new" call the new cell tower "longer-term."  That will trick the Board of Education members into thinking they aren't really giving the Superintendent the power to erect a new cell tower.  

The May 11, 2021, memorandum shown above from Superintendent Jack Smith is an excellent example of how to get around Board of Education policies and procedures, keep Board members clueless as to what is being approved, and eliminate public notice of commercial construction projects on public school land. 

Police officers involved in 5-year-old student viral body cam disciplined

 https://wjla.com/features/i-team/police-officers-involved-in-5-year-old-student-viral-body-cam-disciplined?fbclid=IwAR1usWor-oe2J-pulp9m78noaUKz6mNNIBKhVUQbIqydTJXSerEBHGxjU0A

"Every adult in the room really did a disservice" to the little boy says Katz, including school officials when the child was brought back.

WTOP:  Kate Ryan

Now @MoCoCouncilMD holds briefing on a Jan 2020 incident in which a 5 year old boy was taken back to his school by Montgomery County Police. The incident, caught on video shows police yelling at the child, handcuffing him, and urging his mother to beat her child.

President of @MoCoCouncilMD Tom Hucker noted that the case is now in litigation, but said the briefing was needed, but "too much time has already gone by" since the incident more than one year ago. 

Montgomery County Police @mcpdChief opens with a statement. Says as Chief, a father, and a 35 year vet of the force "was deeply troubled by the actions of my police officers" in the case. 

Says the law regarding public employees bars him from discussing disciplinary measures and limits his ability to certain questions. 

Asked why it took so long for the internal investigation, @mcpdChief says a DOJ recommendation of getting those done in 90 days precedes the use of body-worn cameras, and says the investigation took place in the middle of a pandemic. 

"When we do these reviews," Jones says, it must be done in a "fair and just system". Jones says he's been around since 1985 when there were 75 officers in dept. 

Jones said since then, there's been a push to make sure all officers are treated fairly. So in looking at this case, he wanted to be sure that the dept would not be accused of "discriminatory practices". 

Sitting in on the hearing, Montgomery County CAO Richard Madaleno. He points out County Executive's budget includes 2 new internal affairs positions. 

Council President @CmHucker asked what is fireable offense? "An officer committing a felony" said @mcpdChief or lying or "being dishonest" said Jones. 

Hucker asks "Isn't it difficult for an officer" to know exactly what is a fireable offense. Jones says no. 

Hucker asks could the officers in the case--who are both still on the force---could be called out on a case like the one involving the 5 year old boy. "They could" said Jones. Heavy sigh from Hucker. 

CM @MC_Council_Katz opens questions saying "I know you all" and says he appreciates @mcpdChief coming before council, but says a case like this can "Never" happen again "especially to a child." 

Discussion of body-worn camera program, Chief Jones says he has 1 person to do all the redactions on all footage. 

"Video is great" but says "it is not the all to the end-all" says @mcpdChief 

For anyone following, @mcpdChief is the handle for Chief Marcus Jones. (Don't want to confuse anyone.) 

CM @MC_Council_Katz Chair of Public Safety Committee asks how often a child leaves a school and when police might be called. @MCPS Supt Smith says "It is quite a rare" situation when a child (elementary for example) would leave and police would be called. 

Katz said he was asked why police were called. He asks if SRO assigned to school cluster was notified. Chief says he believes the SRO was not notified. 

Katz says he's watched every minute of video, and asks why "wasn't the school in charge of the child at that point" when the boy was brought back to school building and under school supervision. Why did police stay? 

Jones doesn't answer directly, indicating he can't say. 

"Every adult in the room really did a disservice" to the little boy says Katz, including school officials when the child was brought back. 

At this point, CAO Madaleno interjects, noting General Assembly legislation on police powers (wide-ranging bills) being acted on now could have impact in the county. 

CM @RicePolitics asks, what is the policy when a child leaves schools? (Directed to @MCPS Supt Smith) 

CM @RicePolitics asks why the SRO assigned to school wasn't called? @MCPS Super Smith says he can't answer. (there is a current debate on council and state level on SRO's in schools) 

Rice who has been a supporter of SRO's asks, citing the fact that they are trained directly in working with students. 

If an admin feels they witnessed abuse: are they required to report that? @MCPS Super Smith says school personnel are required to report abuse. Rice: did they report this? Smith says can't answer due to litigation. 

Rice asks @MCPS Super Smith what would he have done in a case like that? (Involving the little boy) 

Smith speaks generally on discipline, restorative practices, etc. 

"If you had a definition of school to prison pipeline, you could slot in this video" says @willjawando "Imagine how long it was for this little boy" who was yelled at and "failed" by every adult involved. 

CM @willjawando says people have cited how long the 51 minute video is..."Imagine" he says how long it felt for the 5 year old boy involved. 

Jawando prefaced Q&A asking for answers, knowing that litigation could keep @mcpdChief from answering. One question the Chief does answer...no one should scream at inches from the face of a young child. 

Jawando asks if Chief would support repeal of #LEOBR @mcpdChief said he would not support wholesale repeal, but some elements of that. 

CM @willjawando says anyone who did what he saw on the video "they do not deserve" to serve as a police officer---Jawando says that's his feeling on the matter. 

Jawando asks precisely when @mcpdChief saw the Jan 2020 video--the Chief said he saw it in December---nearly a year later. 

"To say the obvious--this is a very unsatisfying conversation" says @hansriemer says laws barring access to more info on this incident need to be changed. 

"Everyone's hiding behind this lawsuit--what happened happened" says Reimer. 

"We're just potentially perpetuating the problem" said @hansriemer by not conversing more freely about the incident. "Catastrophically flawed" system of discipline in policing, says Riemer. 

"We need to design a matrix for things that happen at schools and then clearly delineate" who should respond "and why it should not be police officers" says @hansriemer Does say that police can offer mentorships that benefit kids, but the system needs a change. 

CM asks when complaint was filed that triggered the investigation into the incident. @mcpdChief says late Jan 2020 complaint filed. 

CM @nancy_navarro says she won't belabor the issue, but says as budget is considered, SRO alternative model should get another look. 

"I still am pretty speechless" said @nancy_navarro Can't imagine-as a mother--"this is a very extreme incident." 

In describing the video, @nancy_navarro struggles for words. "We have some work to do. There aren't a lot of answers today because there's litigation." But she says current legislation addresses some of the issues raised. 

CM @EvanMGlass says training not the issue in this case. Police, he said, were dealing with a crying child. This wasn't a case of lack of "de-escalation" training. Asks about protocols for placing a child in a patrol vehicle. @mcpdChief says no formal protocols 

CM @EvanMGlass asks how a school employee could have witnessed what police did in the video--but @MCPS Super Smith says "I can't describe--specifically this event" says he has "a lot of thoughts and emotions" about the situation. 

Council members @nancy_navarro and @EvanMGlass say that perhaps, a closed meeting is required so that they can get more info, but adds there's a need for public info and understanding. 

CM @Andrew_Friedson says the incident was a failure by everyone involved. Friedson agrees closed session needed to get at questions that can't be answered in public setting. Notification to council was "inadequate" 

CM @albornoz_gabe the last speaker says "This was before the pandemic" and says now with kids who've been through a challenging year with the social and emotional impacts, a need for care. 

"Totally and utterly indefensible" says @albornoz_gabe Notes as the former Director of Recreation, saw law enforcement engage positively with young people. "What I saw on that video...made my stomach turn." 

CM @albornoz_gabe recalls when he was a 5 year old boy and was separated from a group, and how a police officer helped him and treated him with love and care. Says that's still a vivid memory...

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1379503909711061004.html