FCPS Changes A Brewing

Stay tuned

Effective Dec 15, Langley Principal Matt Ragone will be the new South County Principal. Unclear who will back fill at Langley.

This may start musical chairs?

What is the report on the sc principal?

My understanding is the SC Principal was promoted to Assistant Superintendent, the do not know much about the Interim Principal. Probably an AP that was filling in.

Assume Ragone is taking this position as a possible stepping stone to the Superintendents office as well?

Will be interesting to see how this pans out.

All Ragone does is say no to reasonable parents and cave to rich pushy parents. Most parents are probably glad to see him go. If I remember right, he is very antisocial and doesn't get to know the kids. Will be a big change for SC where the principal knows everyone's name.

HSPA Meeting at Four Sisters, Saturday evening 7pm to discuss this.

SCbound Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> All Ragone does is say no to reasonable parents
> and cave to rich pushy parents. Most parents are
> probably glad to see him go. If I remember right,
> he is very antisocial and doesn't get to know the
> kids. Will be a big change for SC where the
> principal knows everyone's name.

So first the Langley basketball coach applied to transfer to South County and now the principal has followed suit. Must sting for the rich folk at Langley to find out people want to get away from the spoiled kids and pushy parents.

Hey y'all, what's up? I'm a sophomore at South County. Today we all received the email about Mr.Ragones transfer. Right now, our interim principal is Mr.Rumburger, the man who opened South County Secondary School, as the high school principal, not some "AP". I don't know too much about Langley, so I can't speak about the school body as a whole. But I did have Mr.Hess the "basketball" coach for Algebra I freshman year. He's a great guy, and I'm more than happy that he came to SoCo. South County is a great school, with great teachers. I'm excited for this change and I'm eager to find out what this man has to offer.
God bless America.

Travis Mess Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So first the Langley basketball coach applied to
> transfer to South County and now the principal has
> followed suit. Must sting for the rich folk at
> Langley to find out people want to get away from
> the spoiled kids and pushy parents.

I believe Travis Hess transferred to SC mainly due to his commute. There is more to this, not bad, decisions he made for both him and his family and it was nothing to do specifically with Langley, the parents or kids. I know Travis quite well and understand why the decision was made.

No sting for anyone an Langley, some will be sad to see Ragone leave, some will hope things change a bit. All a matter of opinion. Overall Ragone did a lot of good things for the school, improved some things, but there are still issues that need to be addressed and improved.

The problem with Langley is more to do with the parents, there are spoiled kids that feel they are entitled, a lot of competitiveness and it can be a stressful environment.

Overall kids that leave Langley are MORE than prepared for college so it is not such a problem other than many kids work harder at Langley their Jr & Sr year then they do their Freshman year in College.

Student Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey y'all, what's up? I'm a sophomore at South
> County. Today we all received the email about
> Mr.Ragones transfer. Right now, our interim
> principal is Mr.Rumburger, the man who opened
> South County Secondary School, as the high school
> principal, not some "AP". I don't know too much
> about Langley, so I can't speak about the school
> body as a whole. But I did have Mr.Hess the
> "basketball" coach for Algebra I freshman year.
> He's a great guy, and I'm more than happy that he
> came to SoCo. South County is a great school, with
> great teachers. I'm excited for this change and
> I'm eager to find out what this man has to offer.
>
> God bless America.

Ragone will do a good job for your school, do not worry. Just be prepared for him to move on it 3-4 years as I believe this is a stepping stone to the Superintendents office. Ragone is a bit of a "politician" so he will fit well into FCPS Administration. He has just a bit of "slicky boy" in his demeanor for the Superintendents office to like/want him.

As for Rumburger, do not know anything about him. My guess is he may be older and sometimes this is a stumbling block for being considered for advancement. Kind of age discrimination a bit, but FCPS is calling the shots and they are doing what they want, looking out after their best long term interest, not always the communities.

Coach Hess is a GREAT coach, teacher and person. Too bad we all can't have 10-15 Coach Hess in each school.

Anyway, Ragone will be good for the school overall, but unfortunately he will move on but likely after you have graduated.

Rumberger is retired from FCPS. There would be no "advancement" in store for him- FCPS often calls in retired principals as interim - such as Danny Meier at Woodson. The job is a lateral for Ragone - not a promotion.

tbt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Rumberger is retired from FCPS. There would be no
> "advancement" in store for him- FCPS often calls
> in retired principals as interim - such as Danny
> Meier at Woodson. The job is a lateral for Ragone
> - not a promotion.

Yes the job is a lateral for Ragone, his commute will be worse, he is going into a new, unknown environment that is VERY different from where is currently is.

So why would someone want to take a lateral move at this point in his career? Again, my guess it is a clear stepping stone into FCPS Administration.

Mark you calender, Ragone will be out of SC within 5 years, my guess is 3 and he will then be heading to Gatehouse Road.

Not a bad thing, overall Ragone is not a bad leader, better than what Langley has had for a while, but he is a bit on the "slick" side, so this is where he would be of interest to the Gatehouse crowd.

Would not surprise me in the next 7-10 years he might be in Garza position.

The PROBLEM with FCPS and the Superintendent position is we need a Financial person as the Superintendent, not an "Educator". There are 1.3 Billion reasons why FCPS needs a Financial person with "Real World" business and money experience.

Stay tuned for the next chapter.

What are you people talking about? Ragone might get a paper-pushing job at Gatehouse down the road but nothing he's done to date makes him a Superintendant candidate.

But, yes, if you are a coach you want to be at a school with more talent than Langley and if you are an administrator you want to be at a school with fewer helicopter parents. If Hess and Ragone had really been happy there, they would have stayed. Moving in the middle of the year to the same position at another school is like a giant FU to Langley.

Saxon Scape Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------
> But, yes, if you are a coach you want to be at a
> school with more talent than Langley and if you
> are an administrator you want to be at a school
> with fewer helicopter parents. If Hess and Ragone
> had really been happy there, they would have
> stayed.

Hess left for personal/family reasons. If you were at Langley and knew anything about Hess you would know why he left.

Ragone was either offered the spot or thinks it will get him to Gatehouse.

What is better, the devil you know than the devil you do not know.

SC is a nice new facility and Langley is ready to have the dozers pull in any day.

But Ragone is not taking the SC job because of the commute.

Anyway, wish everyone on both sides the best of luck, it will work out for SC better than it will work out for Langley.

Many of the Langley parents make it a really tough place for the kids, teachers and Administrators.

The sooner the parents understand that the kids need to make their own way in the world the better off it will be for everyone.

Changes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Effective Dec 15, Langley Principal Matt Ragone
> will be the new South County Principal. Unclear
> who will back fill at Langley.
>
> This may start musical chairs?


"Unclear who will back fill at Langley."


Heard it might be Marie Lemmon.

Changing the topic- what DID ever happen to Jack Dale? Did he recover? Maybe he wants a principal job.........

If he's got half a brain he's at a place like this:

And a view like this:

Or this:

Ghost of Jack Dale Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Changes Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Effective Dec 15, Langley Principal Matt Ragone
> > will be the new South County Principal. Unclear
> > who will back fill at Langley.
> >
> > This may start musical chairs?
>
>
> "Unclear who will back fill at Langley."
>
>
> Heard it might be Marie Lemmon.

Doubt Marie Lemmon will be welcome in the pyramid!

Pyramid Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ghost of Jack Dale Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Changes Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Effective Dec 15, Langley Principal Matt
> Ragone
> > > will be the new South County Principal.
> Unclear
> > > who will back fill at Langley.
> > >
> > > This may start musical chairs?
> >
> >
> > "Unclear who will back fill at Langley."
> >
> >
> > Heard it might be Marie Lemmon.
>
> Doubt Marie Lemmon will be welcome in the pyramid!

Isn't she the principal who wanted to hire only blondes? Sounds like she'd be a good fit for Langley. Blondes, natural or dyed, are in abundance there.

Escuela Langley Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pyramid Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Ghost of Jack Dale Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Changes Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Effective Dec 15, Langley Principal Matt
> > Ragone
> > > > will be the new South County Principal.
> > Unclear
> > > > who will back fill at Langley.
> > > >
> > > > This may start musical chairs?
> > >
> > >
> > > "Unclear who will back fill at Langley."
> > >
> > >
> > > Heard it might be Marie Lemmon.
> >
> > Doubt Marie Lemmon will be welcome in the
> pyramid!
>
> Isn't she the principal who wanted to hire only
> blondes? Sounds like she'd be a good fit for
> Langley. Blondes, natural or dyed, are in
> abundance there.

You obviously must not know any of the staff and administration.

Students maybe, but not not the staff and administration.

The scandal getting ready to rock FCPS is Boosterthon. Much scurrying around to avoid disclosing things, but Garza has been told her budget will be cut even more if answers are not forthcoming soon.

Budget cut? Ha Ha Ha In todays post she has already put out there she needs another 60 million extra next year, bend over while the tax rate increases again

V3mvv Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Escuela Langley Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Pyramid Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Ghost of Jack Dale Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Changes Wrote:
> > > >
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > >
> > > > -----
> > > > > Effective Dec 15, Langley Principal Matt
> > > Ragone
> > > > > will be the new South County Principal.
> > > Unclear
> > > > > who will back fill at Langley.
> > > > >
> > > > > This may start musical chairs?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Unclear who will back fill at Langley."
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Heard it might be Marie Lemmon.
> > >
> > > Doubt Marie Lemmon will be welcome in the
> > pyramid!
> >
> > Isn't she the principal who wanted to hire only
> > blondes? Sounds like she'd be a good fit for
> > Langley. Blondes, natural or dyed, are in
> > abundance there.
>
> You obviously must not know any of the staff and
> administration.
>
> Students maybe, but not not the staff and
> administration.

You obviously must have a pole up your ass, too Yeah, lots of blonde kids at LHS. Maybe Lemmon could make a few blonde senior girls APs as their Langley Leap project.

uwhYD() you must be a LHS administrator there. You write:
"Many of the Langley parents make it a really tough place for the kids, teachers and Administrators.
The sooner the parents understand that the kids need to make their own way in the world the better off it will be for everyone."

Really? “Kids make their own way in the world?” They might as well just teach themselves! I wonder why students get frustrated, depressed, and take their lives sometimes. Kids can’t teach themselves; they need mentors and educators who care about them. This, can make all the difference between a good school and a not so good school.

The parents who push SOMETIMES have very valid points. In under privileged schools, they want parents to speak up for their children when something does not seem quite right and the administration tells parents to help their children. There are good and bad teachers at every school, just like good and bad students and parents.

If Matt Ragone wants to make a change and grow professionally, good for him. Maybe he even plans to move near there. whatever the reason, it is none of our business.

I here they have full day Monday elementary school starting next year. They also looking into whether to have highschools start time later in the morning.

bbb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> uwhYD() you must be a LHS administrator there. You
> write:
> "Many of the Langley parents make it a really
> tough place for the kids, teachers and
> Administrators.
> The sooner the parents understand that the kids
> need to make their own way in the world the better
> off it will be for everyone."
>
> Really? “Kids make their own way in the
> world?” They might as well just teach
> themselves! I wonder why students get frustrated,
> depressed, and take their lives sometimes. Kids
> can’t teach themselves; they need mentors and
> educators who care about them. This, can make
> all the difference between a good school and a not
> so good school.
>
> The parents who push SOMETIMES have very valid
> points. In under privileged schools, they want
> parents to speak up for their children when
> something does not seem quite right and the
> administration tells parents to help their
> children. There are good and bad teachers at
> every school, just like good and bad students and
> parents.
>
> If Matt Ragone wants to make a change and grow
> professionally, good for him. Maybe he even plans
> to move near there. whatever the reason, it is
> none of our business.

I am not an Administrator at Langley.

Have kids that have graduated under Ragone and have also seen a lot of the foolishness that goes on with the overbearing parents in the area. Looking back much of this started in Elementary school and has just snowballed. Too often it is about the parents and not about the kids.

My kids never were signed up to a class by anyone other then themselves. They took ownership and never dropped or transferred out of any classes. If they took and Honors or AP class, they needed to "own" it and they needed to be prepared for the class. Often tried to talks the kids out of some of their choices, usually it did not work!

I am not looking for my or any other kid to teach themselves but to understand how to make things happen for themselves, make wise decisions and be committed to what they choose to do. My kids actually were very well prepared for life beyond Langley and really did quite well even out of the starting gate Freshman year away from home.

We did take input from teachers and councilors and I think for the most part the input was reasonably accurate and as I recall we pretty much followed the general recommendations.

I believe there may have only been one instances where we needed to discuss an issue with the Administration at the school. We choose to not "manage" our kids in High School, this is something that needs to be transition away from in Middle School.

Wonder why students get frustrated, depressed, and take their lives sometimes? Overcommitment, unrealistic expectations and too many kids trying to live their lives for their parents and not for themselves.

I could care less about what "Johnny" classes is taking in school, where "Johnny" is going to college or what "Johnny" gets on his ACT/SAT or what his GPA is. "Johnny" is not my problem nor my worry and should not be my kids problem or worry either. I also support and encourage my kids, I never show or indicate any sort of disappointment. I do not push my kids to be things they are not capable of being. Not everyone can be class officers, the start athlete, first chair in band, start of the play. This is actually kink of OK! I push/encourage my kids to reach realistic goals and not aim for unrealistic expectations.

My original comments were to the person that thinks Hess and Ragone were not happy at Langley. I know exactly why Hess left and it had nothing to do with the environment. Ragone is moving on and looking for advancement, if he is/was unhappy, it was pretty well hidden.

Ragone has done a decent job at Langley, he will also do a good job for SC.

Hopefully Ragone's replacement will be as good or better for Langley.

Ragone's choices are Ragones, choices, my comment about the commute was to make it clear that this was not a reason he was leaving. I can also assure you he will not move because of taking the SC position.

uwhYD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> bbb Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > uwhYD() you must be a LHS administrator there.
> You
> > write:
> > "Many of the Langley parents make it a really
> > tough place for the kids, teachers and
> > Administrators.
> > The sooner the parents understand that the kids
> > need to make their own way in the world the
> better
> > off it will be for everyone."
> >
> > Really? “Kids make their own way in the
> > world?” They might as well just teach
> > themselves! I wonder why students get
> frustrated,
> > depressed, and take their lives sometimes.
> Kids
> > can’t teach themselves; they need mentors
> and
> > educators who care about them. This, can make
> > all the difference between a good school and a
> not
> > so good school.
> >
> > The parents who push SOMETIMES have very valid
> > points. In under privileged schools, they want
> > parents to speak up for their children when
> > something does not seem quite right and the
> > administration tells parents to help their
> > children. There are good and bad teachers at
> > every school, just like good and bad students
> and
> > parents.
> >
> > If Matt Ragone wants to make a change and grow
> > professionally, good for him. Maybe he even
> plans
> > to move near there. whatever the reason, it is
> > none of our business.
>
> I am not an Administrator at Langley.
>
> Have kids that have graduated under Ragone and
> have also seen a lot of the foolishness that goes
> on with the overbearing parents in the area.
> Looking back much of this started in Elementary
> school and has just snowballed. Too often it is
> about the parents and not about the kids.
>
> My kids never were signed up to a class by anyone
> other then themselves. They took ownership and
> never dropped or transferred out of any classes.
> If they took and Honors or AP class, they needed
> to "own" it and they needed to be prepared for the
> class. Often tried to talks the kids out of some
> of their choices, usually it did not work!
>
> I am not looking for my or any other kid to teach
> themselves but to understand how to make things
> happen for themselves, make wise decisions and be
> committed to what they choose to do. My kids
> actually were very well prepared for life beyond
> Langley and really did quite well even out of the
> starting gate Freshman year away from home.
>
> We did take input from teachers and councilors and
> I think for the most part the input was reasonably
> accurate and as I recall we pretty much followed
> the general recommendations.
>
> I believe there may have only been one instances
> where we needed to discuss an issue with the
> Administration at the school. We choose to not
> "manage" our kids in High School, this is
> something that needs to be transition away from in
> Middle School.
>
> Wonder why students get frustrated, depressed, and
> take their lives sometimes? Overcommitment,
> unrealistic expectations and too many kids trying
> to live their lives for their parents and not for
> themselves.
>
> I could care less about what "Johnny" classes is
> taking in school, where "Johnny" is going to
> college or what "Johnny" gets on his ACT/SAT or
> what his GPA is. "Johnny" is not my problem nor my
> worry and should not be my kids problem or worry
> either. I also support and encourage my kids, I
> never show or indicate any sort of disappointment.
> I do not push my kids to be things they are not
> capable of being. Not everyone can be class
> officers, the start athlete, first chair in band,
> start of the play. This is actually kink of OK! I
> push/encourage my kids to reach realistic goals
> and not aim for unrealistic expectations.
>
> My original comments were to the person that
> thinks Hess and Ragone were not happy at Langley.
> I know exactly why Hess left and it had nothing to
> do with the environment. Ragone is moving on and
> looking for advancement, if he is/was unhappy, it
> was pretty well hidden.
>
> Ragone has done a decent job at Langley, he will
> also do a good job for SC.
>
> Hopefully Ragone's replacement will be as good or
> better for Langley.
>
> Ragone's choices are Ragones, choices, my comment
> about the commute was to make it clear that this
> was not a reason he was leaving. I can also assure
> you he will not move because of taking the SC
> position.

TL; DR. Learn to Tweet, grandpa.

If losing Lipp is a big change, it can only be for the better. She lied, would not listen to facts, hid regulations, and handed down unfair sentences to students she personally did not like while exalting her pets. It seemed to be her personal mission to destroy students'lives. We went to the district office to appeal an unfair decision that would have had huge ramifications for our son. We were told it was FCPS policy to never overturn a school's decision unless it was really grievously wrong - and then were told her decision was indeed a gross overreach and it was overturned. How many students who don't have someone advocating for them were thrown under the bus by cruel,conniving,unethical Lipp? So sad.