Breaking: MCEA Shuts Down Local Apple Ballot PAC

The Montgomery County Education Association Fund for Quality Schools PAC, known to voters as the Apple Ballot mailer that would come each election time, is no more.  The Montgomery County PAC was shut down and had a zero balance in their last report.

Apparently, the contributions of teachers alone were simply not enough to sustain this local Apple Ballot PAC.  Recall The Washington Post's expose of the funding scheme that the Montgomery County Apple Ballot PAC was using back in 2010. 

...Candidates who receive the union's stamp of approval are also then expected to pay.  As far as we know, this arrangement is unique; in elections elsewhere, unions and other special interests contribute to candidates, not vice versa. But such is the overweening power of the teachers union in Montgomery that the usual rules are turned upside down. And it's no coincidence that the union's toxic influence in local elections is matched by its success in squeezing unaffordable concessions from the county in contract negotiations -- at taxpayers' expense.
In the latest elections for the Montgomery County Council, in 2006, most candidates on the union-approved (and trademarked) "Apple Ballot" coughed up the maximum contribution allowed by state law, $6,000, to a PAC run by the Montgomery County Education Association, as the teachers union is known. Union-backed candidates for the Board of Education also paid handsomely. Supposedly, these funds covered the cost of the union's mailings to constituents and other activities on behalf of its anointed candidates -- although there is no real accounting on a campaign-by-campaign basis. In theory, these contributions are voluntary. In fact, several sources told us that the MCEA's chief political strategist, Jon Gerson, made it clear that he expected candidates, once endorsed, to pay what they "owed" for the union's campaign on their behalf. One candidate, asked to explain the decision to pay, answered concisely: "Fear."...

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020404421.html

After that, the $6,000 arrangements dried up.  Then, the Apple Ballot was involved in this scandal:

...At issue are phone calls by Jon Gerson, chief political strategist for the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), in which his interlocutors say that he threatened to withhold the group’s political support from anyone backing county school board hopeful Rebecca K. Smondrowski. “Support her, and you can just forget about ever getting our support” is how one activist characterized the message from Mr. Gerson. Ms. Smondrowski, whom we have endorsed, is a candidate for the Montgomery County Board of Education in Tuesday’s contest, which will include two candidates backed by the MCEA, Fred Evans and Jeanne Ellinport.
Included in the effort to siphon support from Ms. Smondrowski, sources told us, were personal slanders. “I don’t recall” was Mr. Gerson’s initial response when we asked him about them. When pressed, he said that he doesn’t believe that the conversations occurred in the way described to us, arguing that the credibility of those who insist on anonymity must be doubted. We, too, wish that those who told us of their encounters with Mr. Gerson would agree to be named, but the teachers union has such an outsize role in Montgomery politics that few dare to cross it...

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-smear-campaign-in-montgomery-county-against-rebecca-smondrowski/2012/03/30/gIQAZN63lS_story.html

And now, this:

 

   CampaignFinanceReport Public 97dfced2 8618 4325 9db6 6e4b9749f306(2) by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland

CNN Money: Teacher tax break disappearing

No worries for administrators, sodas will still be included in their meetings!

CNN Money:  Dozens of popular tax breaks are on the verge of disappearing.
...Teachers' expenses: The Educator Expense Deduction aims to help teachers cover the cost of classroom supplies like notebooks, pens and paper that their school doesn't reimburse them for. Elementary and secondary school teachers can qualify for deductions of up to $250 per year, even if they don't itemize.
Nearly 4 million teachers deducted $915 million in school expenses in 2010.
"If you haven't bought all the supplies you need for your classroom, it might be worth doing that before the end of the year and taking advantage of this credit," said Greg Rosica, Ernst & Young partner and contributing author to the EY Tax Guide 2014...

Breaking News: Other Vendor Wants to Bid on $14.5 million BOE Purchase

The Parents' Coalition has learned that there is, in fact, another Vendor that would like to bid on the $14.5 million purchase the Board of Education (BOE) will be making today.

If there is another Vendor, then the purchase today isn't a sole source procurement.  

If there are other vendors interested in today's BOE purchase, why isn't the BOE putting this purchase out for bids? Why didn't the BOE put out an RFP?  Why isn't the BOE comparison shopping with your tax dollars?

Guest Post: "This is not responsible stewardship of public money"

MCPS BOE Sept 2012 Re Whiteboards

Breaking News: Teachers Demand 2,000 Promethean Boards

On the September 11, 2012, Board of Education (BOE) Consent Agenda is a memorandum from Superintendent Joshua Starr requesting that the BOE commit to spending $14.5 million over the next 5 years on 2,000 Promethean Boards.  Teachers don't want raises, COLA's, smaller class sizes, or money for classroom supplies.  They want 2,000 more Promethean Board brand interactive white boards. 

Teachers don't want the best price for interactive white boards either, they want only 1 brand.  No bids, no contracts, no discussion on this purchase.   Remember the first time Promethean Boards were purchased in violation of County and State procurement law?  Why not do it again.  This purchase will not be put out for competitive bids. This Agenda item is on the Consent Agenda.  The BOE doesn't even want to discuss it, they will just approve it at the September 11, 2012 meeting. 

When they vote on this "deal", the BOE will approve the spending of money that they do not have. These 2,000 Promethean Boards are going to be purchased on time.  Taxpayers' will pay interest on this purchase.  The purchase is based on a hope and a prayer that MCPS will receive rebates from the federal government over the next 5 years.  If the federal government changes the rebate program, Montgomery County taxpayers will be on the hook for the remaining payments.  Been there, done that.  Let's do it again!

The money that the BOE will spend on this purchase has to be approved by the County Council.  Why? Because some of these funds are County funds.  The rebates that MCPS receives belong to Montgomery County, not to MCPS.  For FY 2013 that is $2,042,000 in County funds that will be sent to MCPS to purchase no-bid Promethean Boards.  Police, fire and libraries, you all aren't interested in these funds, right? 

The Gazette reports here. 

Below is the Superintendent Joshua Starr memorandum.

4.4.1 Approval Contracts FY 13 Supp Approp Request Tech Mod

Update September 8, 2012:  Superintendent Joshua Starr issues "Revised" Memorandum.

Updated: [60] Electric Guitars for Students or Travel for Board of Ed. Members

On another posting on this blog you can read about a fundraiser that, according to the comments, is attempting to raise funds for items like electric guitars.  It's not clear if this fundraising is for MCPS or for an outside program, but the comments allude to a deficit in the MCPS music curriculum and a need for musical instruments.


Meanwhile, today at least two three four Montgomery County Board of Education members and the Superintendent are in Boston, Massachusetts at a 3 day convention.  


We don't know how many Board of Education members attended the conference in total.  [Update:  Laura Berthiaume, Shirley Brandman and Chris Barclay are at Boston Convention. That's the equivalent of buying 36 Electric Guitars for students.] 
[Update: Superintendent Starr is also at the Boston Convention.  That's 12 more Electric Guitars!] 
[Update:  Event the Student Member of the Board of Education is in Boston! 12 more Electric Guitars.

But for the two four  five that did attend, the cost of travel, limo to airport, hotel, food and conference fees would buy about 25 50 60 electric guitars for public school students.  

It's a choice. 


And the people that sit at the secret MCPS Operating Budget table have chosen conferences over classrooms. 


That includes the MCEA - the teachers' union - because they are equal partners in the preparation of the MCPS Operating Budget. 


Teachers, why do you chose conferences over classrooms? 

From MCPS Bulletin:"The proposed FY 2011 budget was developed in full partnership with our three employee associations—MCAAP/MCBOA, MCEA and SEIU Local 500—and with the Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA), who all share the goal of providing a world-class education to all MCPS students." 
“MCEA’s involvement in the budget process is key—it allows the educators of MCPS a direct means of influencing the formulation of the budget,” says Doug Prouty, president of MCEA. “This helps to ensure that resources are directed where they will be most beneficial for students, teachers, and those who support their work.”

Applesauce

The folks that put together the Apple Ballot for the teachers' union have put out a rather interesting announcement, shown below.  The announcement tells people that are interested in getting the Apple stamp of approval in the 2012 Board of Education elections that they should contact the Apple folks by January 11, 2012.

Yes, the Apple won't be contacting you if you file to run for a Board of Education seat.  The Apple is not interested in interviewing all Board of Education candidates because in all likelihood they have already pre-selected their picks.  But if you would like to help the Apple pretend that they evaluate all candidates, give them a call by January 11th.

And, oh by the way, January 11th is the FILING DEADLINE for anyone that wants to run for one of the 3 open Board of Education seats in the 2012 elections.

MCEA Announcement:

Attention 2012 Board of Education Candidates

During the months of January and February 2012, the Montgomery County
Education Association (MCEA), an organization of over 12,000 education
professionals in our community, will be conducting candidate interviews
and reviewing qualifications in connection with its recommendation
process for Board of Education candidates for the upcoming primary and
general elections.

Formal announcement of those recommended by MCEA will occur at the end
of February.

Candidates interested in seeking recommendation by MCEA should contact
Jon Gerson at 301-294-6232 or by email to JGerson@mceanea.org by January

11, 2012 to ensure full consideration by the organization.

Tickets only $25 to hear Superintendent Starr speak! $30 at door!

Hosted by Bethesda Magazine’s Steve Hull and Round House’s Blake Robison

Join local community and business leaders for networking and an informative presentation over lunch by Dr. Joshua P. Starr, the Superintendent of Schools for the Montgomery County Public Schools.

Lunch and Speaker $25 (tickets $30 at the door)
To reserve tickets, call 240.644.1100 or click here.
Sales are final. Online orders subject to $3.50 per ticket convenience charge.

Union reps keep budget discussions from membership

Notes from a meeting of MCEA (Montgomery County Education Association) and SLMP (School Library Media Program): 

"Administrators have been advocating for flexibility in making many decisions for their buildings, including staffing decisions.  In this case, the decision to give elementary principals the flexibility to make cuts that included media specialist positions came approximately two weeks before that decision became public
knowledge.  Nothing was finalized at that time. Until decisions are final, they must remain confidential to minimize rumors and misinformation that can arise.
Therefore, MCEA representatives could not inform media specialists in advance."

Thus, Media Specialists had no opportunity to advocate for their positions before a final decision was made. That's how the MCPS Secret Budget Table works. Those select few at the table keep all budget discussions confidential to prevent any public discussions of decisions being made. 


Who's at the MCPS Secret Budget Table? Union reps, MCCPTA and MCPS staff is all we know. When does the group meet? No clue. Public minutes of meetings? None. Public input into budget discussions? Zero.


Final Notes April 7th MCEA SLMP

Advocacy for School Media Specialists (Librarians) on the Web

Citizens in Montgomery County have taken their advocacy for public school Media Specialists (Librarians) to the web with their very own web page. Here is the main page of that site. Click on the title below to see the rest of their online advocacy. 

Montgomery County Public School students deserve fully staffed media centers

In an era of drastic budget cuts, schools are often prompted to "go back to basics."  In the 21st century, media literacy, multimedia instruction, appreciation for reading, and computer instruction are all fundamental to student success.  In Montgomery County Public Schools, these skills are taught by certified Media Specialists.  Montgomery County Public Schools is breaking the trust with students, parents, and the community who entrusts children to its care each day.  These 21st century skills are the foundation for an educated, skilled, and informed community.  Principals in the following elementary schools have elected to reduce the Media Specialists who teach their students to part time.  Students in Montgomery County face the very real likelihood that their access to quality materials and instruction may be severely curtailed as both public and school libraries cut hours and staff. In additional to cutting the positions of media specialists to part time, Media Assistants, who provide invaluable support to media programs, have also been reduced to part time in many schools, leaving the very real possibility that students may be unable to use only library available to them.  We have provided the names of schools and the contact information for principals of the schools whose Media Specialist positions have been reduced to part time and will update it as we receive new information.  Unfortunately, the reductions in hours of Media Assistants are so widespread that we have been unable to create a list as we have below for schools affected by cuts in Media Specialist hours. Name Phone Location Brunson, Melissa 301-989-5770 Cloverly ES Bryant, Amy 301-353-8050 Germantown ES Casper, Meredith 301-649-8066 Pine Crest ES Clark, Cheryl 301-253-7088 Lois P. Rockwell ES Colgary, Laura 301-840-7157 Darnestown ES Curry, Stephanie 301-353-8065 Clopper Mill ES Fladung, Audra 301-989-5668 Stonegate ES Grundy, Robert (Rob) 301-460-2140 Brookhaven ES Kelly, Patricia 301-989-5676 Westover ES Marcus, Kenneth 301-840-7149 Mill Creek Towne ES Palmisano, Rock 301-469-1034 Carderock Springs ES Reitz, Dorothy (Dottie) 301-279-4980 DuFief ES Sagona, Donna 301-840-7145 Laytonsville ES Salazar, Peggy 301-650-6434 Oak View ES Thomas Evans, Marinda (Marinda) 301-431-7607 New Hampshire Estates ES  The list provides the names and supervisory assignments of the Community Superintendents. AN IRONIC INVITATION Baldridge thrown under a bus! After an 11th budget recommendation to principals that resulted in a educational Sophie's Choice, principals were asked to choose to among the following staff to reduce to part time:  Guidance Counselors, Media Specialists, Reading Specialists and Staff Development Teachers.  We have been unable to find a copy of that document, but hope to have it from either the Board of Education or Union representatives.  These recommendations had not been included in published recommendations sent out a week earlier, which is why so many stakeholders (students, parents, staff, and Media Specialists themselves) were caught flat-footed by the cuts. Immediately following a week in which many staff were informed that their positions would be cut to part-time, Board of Education Member Patricia O'Neill sent a "Dear Colleagues" letter, in which she solicited donations to honor the work of Dr. Jerry Weast.  In this invitation, the donations are earmarked toward purchasing books for elementary school libraries so "we can provide our students with well-stocked libraries." Click here for a link to the invitation. Additional Pages Contact your Elected and Appointed Officials Form Letters Research on the impact of strong library media programs Some modest (budget) proposals - with a nod to Jonathan Swift

PTA Sponsors Union Rally

The following flyer is being distributed by PTA's in Montgomery County, Maryland. It shows the county wide PTA organization (MCCPTA) as a sponsor of a teachers union (MCEA), support personnel union (SEIU), and administrator union's (MCAASP) rally on April 6, 2010, at the Montgomery County Council building in Rockville, Maryland.

The flyer shows that it was authored by Tom Israel. Tom Israel is the Executive Director of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA).  The flyer lists school related services that will be eliminated if $137 million is cut from the proposed MCPS budget. Where did that list come from? When the Board of Education met earlier this week Superintendent Jerry Weast reported that no decisions had been made about what would be cut from the FY11 proposed MCPS Operating Budget. 

Weast told FOX5 that he: 

"promises to try to protect programs-- despite a budget $137 million less than what the Board of Education requested. He says the school system will work to  avoid furloughs."

Is it required that the cuts listed on the union/PTA flyer would happen if $137 million was cut from the MCPS proposed budget? No.

Could $137 million be cut from the MCPS proposed budget without impacting classrooms? Yes.

Is anyone looking closely at the MCPS budget and evaluating options in light of the dire financial situation our county finds itself in?

What could be trimmed without impacting the educational experience for our students?

Any suggestions?

April6flyer
Correction to flyer: Please note that the administrator's union is actually the Montgomery County
Association of Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (MCAASP).

Who paid the MCEA PAC?

Here is a 2006 list of some of the Board of Education candidates (now members) and County Council members (from the Education Committee) that paid the MCEA PAC as referenced in today's Washington Post editorial.  This list represents only one report for the MCEA PAC.

Board of Education member Judy Docca:  $3,000

Board of Education President Pat O'Neill:  $2,000

Board of Education Vice President Shirley Brandman $6,000

County Council Education Chair Valerie Ervin:  $4,000

County Council Education committee member Mike Knapp: $4,000

Rotten apple - In Montgomery Co., the teachers union and its toxic influence

In today's Washington Post lead Montgomery County Editorial "Rotten apple" (as titled in print edition), the Post editor details the financial arrangement that is struck between candidates for Board of Education seats and the teacher's union, MCEA, with each candidate being essentially "billed" for the MCEA endorsement. This behind the scenes deal has been going on for years and is not new. What is new is that The Washington Post is revealing it. (2006 contributions from candidates to the MCEA PAC are shown to the left.)

The Washington Post editorials on Montgomery County Public Schools have been known to simply parrot the position that Superintendent Weast has taken on an issue, with illegal curricular fees as one notable example. In that editorial entitled "The Price of Learning", The Post came out supporting the imposition of fees on public school students to attend public school classes, even though those fees are illegal in Maryland. The Post editor failed to actually quote the Maryland State Constitution's guarantee of a free public education in the editorial, and instead made the Constitution's guarantee sound like a fabrication.

While today's Post editorial says that the charging of candidates for the MCEA endorsement "distorts and perverts" the political process, the Post took no such position on illegal fees being extorted from children. 

Is the Post's position that fee based "endorsement deals" involving adults are bad, but extorting fees from children is good?

In today's editorial, the Post discusses the "toxic influence" of the teacher's union, MCEA. The next question is, who influences the Post editorials?

UPDATE: See who paid into the MCEA PAC in one report from 2006.

Rotten apple
In Montgomery County, the teachers union and its toxic influence  

...Just one thing is missing from this handy guide: Candidates who receive the union's stamp of approval are also then expected to pay.

As far as we know, this arrangement is unique; in elections elsewhere, unions and other special interests contribute to candidates, not vice versa...

...In the latest elections for the Montgomery County Council, in 2006, most candidates on the union-approved (and trademarked) "Apple Ballot" coughed up the maximum contribution allowed by state law, $6,000, to a PAC run by the Montgomery County Education Association, as the teachers union is known. Union-backed candidates for the Board of Education also paid handsomely.
 
In fact, several sources told us that the MCEA's chief political strategist, Jon Gerson, made it clear that he expected candidates, once endorsed, to pay what they "owed" for the union's campaign on their behalf. One candidate, asked to explain the decision to pay, answered concisely: "Fear."

This distorts and perverts the political process....