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Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: GarzaResign ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:15PM

Anyone know why?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: fracturedfairfax ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:18PM

GarzaResign Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anyone know why?

New job.

She's resigning to become the President and Chief Executive Officer of Battelle for Kids, a not-for-profit education organization based out of Columbus, Ohio.

Absolutely Nothing You Need to Know About Fairfax County

Fractured Fairfax

https://www.fracturedfairfax.com
Unnatural Deaths in Fairfax County Map


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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Thomas Edison ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:22PM

Another failed tenure. So many initiatives. So much promise. So much busy work for teachers....statistics, performance assessments. When will FCPS ever learn???

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Brown Onion ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:27PM

Bowel problems.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: 4bJTD ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:27PM

GarzaResign Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anyone know why?

Because the job sucks and she has to listen to assholes complain all day about the job she's doing. It's kind of like being a teacher.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Mutiny ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:28PM

Abandon sinking ship! Was hoping it was Ryan M or Pat Hines. Next wave I guess.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Smee69 ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:30PM

Who will replace her?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Fiscal Facts ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:34PM

Smee69 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Who will replace her?

The new one better not get such a lavish compensation package: high psy, housing alloeancr, car, phone, computer and County credit card.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: green with envy ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:52PM

As of 2015, the executive director of Batelle for Kids pulled down over $360k annually. Suck on it, losers.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Frankie Despot ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:58PM


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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Quality Watcher ()
Date: September 19, 2016 06:59PM

Good riddance!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Ggghhhggvv ()
Date: September 19, 2016 07:22PM

Her constant budget doomsday tirades were tiresome.

Time to go, don't let the door hit you on the backside!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Yes yes yes ()
Date: September 19, 2016 07:37PM

So yes on the meals tax now!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Time for Ryan ()
Date: September 19, 2016 07:39PM

Smee69 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Who will replace her?


Ryan M.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: fracturedfairfax ()
Date: September 19, 2016 08:05PM

Smee69 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Who will replace her?

It's been over 30 years since FCPS promoted an internal candidate to the top spot; the last was Jack Burkholder in 1982.

Bud Spillane, Dan Domenech, Jack Dale and Garza were all hires from outside FCPS.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Tim2 ()
Date: September 19, 2016 08:06PM

I assume it had something to do with the grand jury meeting today

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: shadybradyllllllll ()
Date: September 19, 2016 08:11PM

FCPS spent a ton of money on the company she is going to .....

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Diehard Lib ()
Date: September 19, 2016 08:16PM

Time to hire a black transgender muslim to indoctrinate the children.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Inside Source ()
Date: September 19, 2016 08:38PM

shadybradyllllllll Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FCPS spent a ton of money on the company she is
> going to .....

Just like they did on her Cynergistics friends from Texas. These employees make bank in their contract with FCPS.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Vote for Dr. Scott Braband ()
Date: September 19, 2016 08:53PM

Vote for Dr. Scott Braband!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: $93 million in the whole ()
Date: September 19, 2016 09:05PM

This would not have happened had the meals tax already been approved.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Fucking Bitch ()
Date: September 19, 2016 09:07PM

Wow. What a bitch. Using the children and families of Fairfax County as an extremely brief stepping stone to get a cushy non-profit gig.

She was paid generously here. I'll just assume that she was a small fish in a big pond, and just couldn't hack it any longer.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Fuck off, bitch ()
Date: September 19, 2016 09:37PM

,
Attachments:
74343-Tombstone-well-bye-gif-hji0.gif

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: goodbyeandsolongsuckers ()
Date: September 19, 2016 09:43PM

Kind of a kick in the teeth if you ask me. She was well paid here and 2.5 years is not a very long tenure. It means a lot of disruption for the schools. How can someone come in as a change agent, get things going and then leave before they are realized. I guess we can thank her for starting school earlier (something pushed through to please teachers) but what else?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: you kiddin ()
Date: September 19, 2016 10:03PM

Fucking Bitch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow. What a bitch. Using the children and families
> of Fairfax County as an extremely brief stepping
> stone to get a cushy non-profit gig.
>
> She was paid generously here. I'll just assume
> that she was a small fish in a big pond, and just
> couldn't hack it any longer.

She was paid peanuts for the headaches involved. The CEO of a similar sized company would be paid millions and fly around in a corporate jet.

If there was ever a no win situation, running a big school system is it. If a superintendent did what the asshole parents wanted, he/she would find themselves in Federal prison.

Good luck, Ms Garza, and don't look back. Fuck these people!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Fucking Bitch ()
Date: September 19, 2016 10:09PM

you kiddin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fucking Bitch Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Wow. What a bitch. Using the children and
> families
> > of Fairfax County as an extremely brief
> stepping
> > stone to get a cushy non-profit gig.
> >
> > She was paid generously here. I'll just assume
> > that she was a small fish in a big pond, and
> just
> > couldn't hack it any longer.
>
> She was paid peanuts for the headaches involved.
> The CEO of a similar sized company would be paid
> millions and fly around in a corporate jet.
>
> If there was ever a no win situation, running a
> big school system is it. If a superintendent did
> what the asshole parents wanted, he/she would find
> themselves in Federal prison.
>
> Good luck, Ms Garza, and don't look back. Fuck
> these people!

Yes. Working in education has many low points. Long hours, lots of haters, lots of drudgery. She damn well knew that.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Tired of Garza ()
Date: September 19, 2016 10:12PM

you kiddin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> She was paid peanuts for the headaches involved.
> The CEO of a similar sized company would be paid
> millions and fly around in a corporate jet.

She was paid well enough to accept the job.

What will happen to all her expensive initiatives, none of which have been in place long enough to show a positive return?

Can't stop free will, but she is abandoning a lot of promises she made to people.

Which means, she was all smiles and lip service and didn't give a shit any more than any other public "servant."

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: lofn ()
Date: September 19, 2016 10:16PM

Tired of Garza Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> you kiddin Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > She was paid peanuts for the headaches involved.
>
> > The CEO of a similar sized company would be
> paid
> > millions and fly around in a corporate jet.
>
> She was paid well enough to accept the job.
>
> What will happen to all her expensive initiatives,
> none of which have been in place long enough to
> show a positive return?
>
> Can't stop free will, but she is abandoning a lot
> of promises she made to people.
>
> Which means, she was all smiles and lip service
> and didn't give a shit any more than any other
> public "servant."


Karen is doing what EVERY SINGLE ONE of you fuckers are doing. Looking out for number one!

Onwards and upwards, Ms Garza!!!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: resume.com ()
Date: September 19, 2016 10:21PM

lofn Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tired of Garza Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > you kiddin Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > > She was paid peanuts for the headaches
> involved.
> >
> > > The CEO of a similar sized company would be
> > paid
> > > millions and fly around in a corporate jet.
> >
> > She was paid well enough to accept the job.
> >
> > What will happen to all her expensive
> initiatives,
> > none of which have been in place long enough to
> > show a positive return?
> >
> > Can't stop free will, but she is abandoning a
> lot
> > of promises she made to people.
> >
> > Which means, she was all smiles and lip service
> > and didn't give a shit any more than any other
> > public "servant."
>
>
> Karen is doing what EVERY SINGLE ONE of you
> fuckers are doing. Looking out for number one!
>
> Onwards and upwards, Ms Garza!!!


I guess the worn out lie, "its all about the kids" is still bullshit

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: yuppie12 ()
Date: September 19, 2016 11:02PM

resume.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> lofn Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Tired of Garza Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > you kiddin Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > >
> > > > She was paid peanuts for the headaches
> > involved.
> > >
> > > > The CEO of a similar sized company would be
> > > paid
> > > > millions and fly around in a corporate jet.
> > >
> > > She was paid well enough to accept the job.
> > >
> > > What will happen to all her expensive
> > initiatives,
> > > none of which have been in place long enough
> to
> > > show a positive return?
> > >
> > > Can't stop free will, but she is abandoning a
> > lot
> > > of promises she made to people.
> > >
> > > Which means, she was all smiles and lip
> service
> > > and didn't give a shit any more than any
> other
> > > public "servant."
> >
> >
> > Karen is doing what EVERY SINGLE ONE of you
> > fuckers are doing. Looking out for number one!
> >
> > Onwards and upwards, Ms Garza!!!
>
>
> I guess the worn out lie, "its all about the
> kids" is still bullshit

Big 10-4 on that one, Dano.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: citation needed ()
Date: September 19, 2016 11:18PM

resume.com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I guess the worn out lie, "its all about the
> kids" is still bullshit


I don't remember Garza saying this, but I could have missed it. Could you provide a link?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: wFJjM ()
Date: September 19, 2016 11:27PM

If they can keep the job vacant for just 6 months, the county can save hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: causeican ()
Date: September 19, 2016 11:59PM

Tired of Garza Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...but she is abandoning a lot
> of promises she made to people.
>
> Which means, she was all smiles and lip service
> and didn't give a shit any more than any other
> public "servant."

this is a fact now

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: exy4x ()
Date: September 20, 2016 12:09AM

For those of you that believe "we the people" are completely feckless, think again.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Stoptheportrait ()
Date: September 20, 2016 01:17AM

I hate the stupid portrait of a graduate. As long as the ACT/SAT is the college entrance exam, we need to focus on Naxos skills and content. Stop with the stupid ass project based learning and portrait mess. Please!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Doc Garza ()
Date: September 20, 2016 03:05AM

Yaw'l don't be worried 'bout little ol' me now yaw'l.

I'm gonna be just fine.

And, stop calling me miss garza. I'm a doctordammit.

Best, Karen

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: So long suckers! ()
Date: September 20, 2016 07:29AM

message to the kids is 'take care of #1' - if you make a commitment to one group and a better offer comes along screw the original commitment and take care of yourself. So long suckers!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Power Sharing Arrangement ()
Date: September 20, 2016 07:47AM

wFJjM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If they can keep the job vacant for just 6 months,
> the county can save hundreds of thousands of
> dollars.


let each board member rotate through the position for a few months at a time. they all want to run the show anyhow and we can start closing that $100 million school budget gap.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: BFK ()
Date: September 20, 2016 07:52AM

FCPS has a Battelle For Kids contract worth about $300k. Contract # 4400005876. Is this a Conflict of Interest?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Provide Moar data plz ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:00AM

No. $300k is nothing in a system like FCPS.

And you have to look at the dates. It's likely that contract is older and possibly even where Garza got the idea to jump ship.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Good. Even bitch ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:15AM

Remember when the other guy left he fake sick and went to the hospital fuck fcps lower my taxes

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Inquisitive One ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:33AM

My gut feeling is that it is not as complex as it seems. Chances are there is polling that the meals tax will not pass, the BOS cannot politically increase the RE taxes as much as what she wants, and the effects of the illegals and ESOL kids are starting to affect test scores in much of the same way as in Montgomery County. She is loathe to budget cutting and is just getting out while her reputation is intact.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: causeican ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:36AM

Inquisitive One Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My gut feeling is that it is not as complex as it
> seems. Chances are there is polling that the
> meals tax will not pass, the BOS cannot
> politically increase the RE taxes as much as what
> she wants, and the effects of the illegals and
> ESOL kids are starting to affect test scores in
> much of the same way as in Montgomery County. She
> is loathe to budget cutting and is just getting
> out while her reputation is intact.


That makes sense.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: causeican ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:37AM

Good. Even bitch Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Remember when the other guy left he fake sick and
> went to the hospital fuck fcps lower my taxes


I wish the bald-headed guy would do that.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Battelle For Kids ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:43AM

The FCPS contract with Battelle for Kids expires in April 2020. This isn't some old contract.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: causeican ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:50AM

exy4x Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For those of you that believe "we the people" are
> completely feckless, think again.


Do tell who be the effective “we” you mean.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: BillyBob2 ()
Date: September 20, 2016 09:46AM

Battelle is a money hungry govt contractor. Don't let the non-profit fool you.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Somalian Man ()
Date: September 20, 2016 09:48AM

Inquisitive One Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My gut feeling is that it is not as complex as it
> seems. Chances are there is polling that the
> meals tax will not pass, the BOS cannot
> politically increase the RE taxes as much as what
> she wants, and the effects of the illegals and
> ESOL kids are starting to affect test scores in
> much of the same way as in Montgomery County. She
> is loathe to budget cutting and is just getting
> out while her reputation is intact.

Best answer. God bless our open borders policy.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: john dewey ()
Date: September 20, 2016 11:07AM

Provide Moar data plz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No. $300k is nothing in a system like FCPS.
>
> And you have to look at the dates. It's likely
> that contract is older and possibly even where
> Garza got the idea to jump ship.

Yes, it is peanuts, relatively speaking. Her annual compensation from Battelle will dwarf that.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Nice Guy Eddie ()
Date: September 20, 2016 11:22AM

Anybody got Michelle Rhee's number?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Ghost of Jack Dale ()
Date: September 20, 2016 11:34AM

Nice Guy Eddie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anybody got Michelle Rhee's number?
Attachments:
zimmerman 01.gif

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: ever think about it? ()
Date: September 20, 2016 11:41AM

4bJTD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> GarzaResign Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Anyone know why?
>
> Because the job sucks and she has to listen to
> assholes complain all day about the job she's
> doing. It's kind of like being a teacher.


Maybe if either did a decent job, there'd be not complaints.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Insider Source ()
Date: September 20, 2016 11:41AM

High maintenance. Everything had to be set up just right for her appearances or shit would hit the fan. A lot like Brittany Spears. If anything from lighting to ventilation would be slightly off , she went from nice to vindictive. Glad to see her leave.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Ghost of John Foust's Campaign ()
Date: September 20, 2016 12:00PM

Sounds like a Hillary supporter.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Former FHS Parent ()
Date: September 20, 2016 12:40PM

Vote for Dr. Scott Braband Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vote for Dr. Scott Braband!

This would not be a bad idea

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: At-large ()
Date: September 20, 2016 12:41PM

Who?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: 9k4by ()
Date: September 20, 2016 01:06PM


To disrupt investigation, to sever lines of accountability.

The Fairfax Courthouse does this frequently. It's not just musical chairs with judges. This is how it works...

You stop at some office window and get screwed over by some employee who says it's policy. You know there is no such thing. A month later the person is gone, but a careful observer sees the person is in a different office - still with the County.


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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: vJu9N ()
Date: September 20, 2016 01:18PM

it doesn't matter because when you get down to cost per student (and whether the area parents are even being server - meaning EXCLUDING PARENTS who are not from the area)

what you see is impossible financial costs, and a wholey under-served DENIZEN public - to the point of really being a middle finger to fairfax denizens


that is why and where the democrat schemes fail. it doesn't matter *why* the numbers are rediculous when they go so far off. as for accountability: showing exactly why wont matter. also - as far as how spent - there are ways to find out that are outside the County record (ie, American express, land records). what wont be easily found is FUNNELING outside the country - which is exactly why having illegals take over management positions is a true act of sedition


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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Memory Hole ()
Date: September 20, 2016 01:44PM

Let us not forget that Ryan Mcelveen cites hiring Garza as one of hi major accomplishments on the school board.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: clair voyant ()
Date: September 20, 2016 03:32PM

My wife retired from FCPS early this year. They have twice a year retirement ceremonies. Garza didn't show up for the June '16 ceremony (couldn't remember the last time that happened).

I told the wife then that Garza is quitting. Oh nooooo, she just signed a new contract said the wife.

I wish I'd bet her 20 bucks now.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Now hiring:sycophant ()
Date: September 20, 2016 03:53PM

The only way this school board will be able to hire a sycophant to execute their social change agenda is to pay someone from outside the system a lot of money.

Anyone inside the system already knows how to stonewall them.

Wanna bet they made Garza sign a non-disparagement clause before allowing her out of her contract?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Ryan we know you're reading this ()
Date: September 20, 2016 04:02PM

Memory Hole Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let us not forget that Ryan Mcelveen cites hiring
> Garza as one of hi major accomplishments on the
> school board.


Nice shot.

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­
Posted by: chuckhoffmann ()
Date: September 20, 2016 05:30PM

­



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2016 09:41AM by chuckhoffmann.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: GoodGrief, just go Garza ()
Date: September 20, 2016 05:32PM

Please people, let her go. She's been nothing but a problem since day 3. The southern voice and smile, please. DIVA and a $50K + bathroom installed so she didn't have to toilet with the working people. She won't own any of her decisions now. Don't let the door hit you on the way out--ask Cynergistics and your new company (conflicts of interest) to hold it for you. Used our kids and school system for her own benefit.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Marie Lemmon go with Garza ()
Date: September 20, 2016 05:33PM

Hopefully Marie Lemmon will go with Karen Garza. They seem to be two peas in a pod. I bet Mrs. Lemmon is having a cow that her lifejacket is leaving. Lets see what happens to her next.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: what a crock of crap ()
Date: September 20, 2016 05:41PM

So taxpayers forked over how much dough to an energy company to tell us to turn out the lights and unplug the computers

How fucking stupid are these people?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Ryan we know you're reading this ()
Date: September 20, 2016 05:55PM

Maybe a career opportunity for Flip Flippen.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: UDEbb ()
Date: September 20, 2016 05:58PM

Typical Democrat. She doesn't care about kids, she cares about herself and her own family.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: 10 Year Teacher ()
Date: September 20, 2016 06:03PM

I'll have to echo the fact that I'm very upset she's leaving. This past year was the first year in a while that we got a decent pay raise, and now we're looking at Garza's resignation AND a deficit of over $100 million. I suspect I'm not going to get another pay raise for a decade.

In addition, there are plenty of areas in the FCPS system where the money is simply "disappearing". On top of that, property taxes in the area are less than 1%, yet they fund the 10th largest school system in the entire US. Does anyone else see a possible problem with this?

There has been immense teacher turnover. Veteran teachers are choosing to leave for other counties. New hires are getting burnt out with larger class sizes and longer hours for unfair pay. With the way FCPS is looking, I may have to leave a job I love and students I adore because people can't get their shit together. I highly suspect that's why Garza left. Imagine dealing with brain drain and a Board that's giving themselves pay raises, yet is staring budget deficits in the face year after year.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: XunhN ()
Date: September 20, 2016 06:35PM

FCPS needs to stop with hiring all these "Educators" to run a $1.4 billion company.

FCPS need a Business/Finance/Money person at the top. They can be surrounded by all the academics that are needed.

Someone can sit down with 3-5 current FPCS folks, with a few sheet of paper and break out where the big money areas are and figure out what areas can be improved quickly. Obviously personnel and perpetual care is probably the biggest pot probably followed by Administration, but you also have Facilities, Transportation, Energy and Technical/Computer/IT cost that can all be reviewed and hammered on.

I mean come on, look at all the Cluster and Assistant Cluster staffing, I cannot believe that all these layers of crap are really needed. The more layers, the more you can hide things under the rug.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Thoughts3 ()
Date: September 20, 2016 07:10PM

Garza learned about the job in the middle of August that would replace the retiring Executive Director for Battelle for Kids organization. She build of the work from Dr. Jack Dale and continued on.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: liar liar pants on fire ()
Date: September 20, 2016 07:24PM

Garza claims she heard of this new position thru a recruiter

Huh

Because Denise Snowden who is a director at Battelle did work in Lubbock Tx

Now who worked in Lubbock?

Anyone want to guess?

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­
Posted by: chuckhoffmann ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:09PM

­



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/22/2016 09:42AM by chuckhoffmann.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: I like Garza, but... ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:10PM

This is a tremendous opportunity for the County to bring in a replacement that will stand for many of the same things as Garza while hopefully bringing the sense and creativity to solve problems rather than just create a ruckus about them. The #1 issue is teacher compensation, but Garza did all teachers a disservice by focusing 100% of her attention solely on increased revenues.

Garza's approach has been, "this county spends this much per student, and that county spends that much..." This approach does not reflect the mindset that should be at the helm of a successful school system. The schools and teachers she represents deserve a better, more creative thinker and a problem solver.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: mmmmm ()
Date: September 20, 2016 08:56PM

So what did Garza do for FCPS?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: edCtb ()
Date: September 20, 2016 10:04PM

chuckhoffmann Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> XunhN Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > FCPS needs to stop with hiring all these
> > "Educators" to run a $1.4 billion company.
> >
> > FCPS need a Business/Finance/Money person at
> the
> > top. They can be surrounded by all the
> academics
> > that are needed.
> >
>
> The problem is that the State Board of Education's
> regulations are heavily biased towards
> professional educators obtaining a division
> superintendent's license, which is required to be
> a division superintendent. See
> http://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agenc
> y20/chapter22/section600/
>
> While it is technically possible for
> someone who's never served as a division
> superintendent to become one*, it will
> absolutely never happen in Fairfax
> County.
>
> Getting a division superintendent's license
> requires the recommendation of the school board,
> and do you seriously think the Fairfax County
> School Board as it sits right now would do such a
> thing?
>
> *Here's the section from section 8VAC20-22-600 of
> the Administrative Code, with emphasis
> added:
4. Option four. The individual
> must:
>
> a. Hold a master's degree, or its equivalent, from
> a regionally accredited college or university;
>
> b. Have held a senior leadership position such as
> Chief Executive Officer or senior military
> officer; and
>
> c. Be recommended by a school board
> interested in employing the individual as
> superintendent.

Well if the current School Board representatives cannot figure out that maybe a "Money" person would be a good option, yes, we are really screwed.

I really doubt you can find anyone "qualified" or "experienced" to the level they need to be for FCPS. I am sure there are other large public school systems across the country, they are many differences and I believe FCPS is very different than some of the larger systems and needs some specific attention to money, organization, management and structure in order to succeed. This is going to require some tough decisions and some out of the box thinking that may be radically different than the way things have worked in prior years.

Think METRO and the current situation it is in at the moment and the fact that the current GM, Paul J. Wiedefeld, may be one of the few folks that can actually have any chance at success getting the ship turned around. At least Wiedefeld has "Operations" experience which was desperately needed.

Fixing the problem will not be popular or pretty, but someone needs to have the balls to get things headed in the correct direction without continuing to ask for more money.

FPCS is likely fat with administration and I am sure there are positions that can be combined and eliminated which may actually help the organization in the long run.

Not holding my breath with the current people sitting on the FCPS School Board!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: A what? ()
Date: September 23, 2016 12:15AM

Word is, she demanded and got a $17,000 private bathroom installed at Gatehouse...taxpayer dollars!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Ryan we know you're reading this ()
Date: September 23, 2016 08:19AM

edCtb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> chuckhoffmann Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > XunhN Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > FCPS needs to stop with hiring all these
> > > "Educators" to run a $1.4 billion company.
> > >
> > > FCPS need a Business/Finance/Money person at
> > the
> > > top. They can be surrounded by all the
> > academics
> > > that are needed.
> > >
> >
> > The problem is that the State Board of
> Education's
> > regulations are heavily biased towards
> > professional educators obtaining a division
> > superintendent's license, which is required to
> be
> > a division superintendent. See
> >
> http://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agenc
>
> > y20/chapter22/section600/
> >
> > While it is technically possible for
> > someone who's never served as a division
> > superintendent to become one*, it will
> > absolutely never happen in Fairfax
> > County.
> >
> > Getting a division superintendent's license
> > requires the recommendation of the school
> board,
> > and do you seriously think the Fairfax County
> > School Board as it sits right now would do such
> a
> > thing?
> >
> > *Here's the section from section 8VAC20-22-600
> of
> > the Administrative Code, with emphasis
> > added:
4. Option four. The
> individual
> > must:
> >
> > a. Hold a master's degree, or its equivalent,
> from
> > a regionally accredited college or university;
> >
> > b. Have held a senior leadership position such
> as
> > Chief Executive Officer or senior military
> > officer; and
> >
> > c. Be recommended by a school board
> > interested in employing the individual as
> > superintendent.
>
> Well if the current School Board representatives
> cannot figure out that maybe a "Money" person
> would be a good option, yes, we are really
> screwed.
>
> I really doubt you can find anyone "qualified" or
> "experienced" to the level they need to be for
> FCPS. I am sure there are other large public
> school systems across the country, they are many
> differences and I believe FCPS is very different
> than some of the larger systems and needs some
> specific attention to money, organization,
> management and structure in order to succeed. This
> is going to require some tough decisions and some
> out of the box thinking that may be radically
> different than the way things have worked in prior
> years.
>
> Think METRO and the current situation it is in at
> the moment and the fact that the current GM, Paul
> J. Wiedefeld, may be one of the few folks that can
> actually have any chance at success getting the
> ship turned around. At least Wiedefeld has
> "Operations" experience which was desperately
> needed.
>
> Fixing the problem will not be popular or pretty,
> but someone needs to have the balls to get things
> headed in the correct direction without continuing
> to ask for more money.
>
> FPCS is likely fat with administration and I am
> sure there are positions that can be combined and
> eliminated which may actually help the
> organization in the long run.
>
> Not holding my breath with the current people
> sitting on the FCPS School Board!







"This is going to require some tough decisions and some out of the box thinking that may be radically different than the way things have worked in prior years."


You could have stopped right there. Never going to happen from this board. They're too busy with bathroom policies and bus engine blocks to figure out how to run a large, diverse school system.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Bill.N. ()
Date: September 23, 2016 11:25AM

edCtb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fixing the problem will not be popular or pretty,
> but someone needs to have the balls to get things
> headed in the correct direction without continuing
> to ask for more money.

Asking for more money isn't the problem. It is seeing more and more money being pumped into the system for a progressively worse product, and being told that in the future we can expect more of the same.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: vkdue ()
Date: September 23, 2016 11:44AM

to solve the $100M budget deficit and pay more to "teachers" - cut some of the $600M+ spent each year on Special Education and the psychologists and therapists - reduce normal class sizes and retain the best teachers - yes, it really is that simple...

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Cutz ()
Date: September 23, 2016 11:46AM

Bill the Feds for all the ESL teachers and counselors we're now having to hire because of their failed immigration policy.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: pK9jv ()
Date: September 23, 2016 12:40PM

Cut out the Cluster Administration, this will save a LOT in overhead and streamline the bureaucracy.

Less layers to hide crap under.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: JnVFu ()
Date: September 23, 2016 12:59PM

Ryan we know you're reading this Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You could have stopped right there. Never going to
> happen from this board. They're too busy with
> bathroom policies and bus engine blocks to figure
> out how to run a large, diverse school system.

LOL! You low-grade worthless right-wing dumbfucks are the only ones worried about such things. Why not just shut the fuck up, seeing as how freakishly stupid you all are. Garza -- like Dale before her -- was a competent and successful administrator. You stupid shits by contrast have never been competent or successful at ANYTHING. You're all just a bunch of hapless dumbass losers!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: 6uYvm ()
Date: September 23, 2016 01:09PM

Cutz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bill the Feds for all the ESL teachers and counselors we're
> now having to hire because of their failed immigration policy.

An earlier generation of teachers had to try to educate ignorant douchebags like you. And most of that scum was actually born here.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Fuck off, asshole ()
Date: September 23, 2016 01:15PM

vkdue Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> to solve the $100M budget deficit and pay more to "teachers" - cut
> some of the $600M+ spent each year on Special Education and the
> psychologists and therapists - reduce normal class sizes and
> retain the best teachers - yes, it really is that simple...

What's simple here is seeing what a total dumbfuck you are. IDEA expenses are federally mandated. If we weren't willing to mainstream kids with issues, we'd be back to paying to run a whole extra system of "special schools" for them at much higher costs. How much of the tab for that are YOU willing to pick up, you gigantic blabbing asshole? Yeah....that's what I thought!

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: No, It's Not That SImple ()
Date: September 23, 2016 03:13PM

^ +1000

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Nu8Gd ()
Date: September 23, 2016 03:23PM

you claim that IDEA expenses are federally mandated - not accurate - see the U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit's unanimous decision in O.S. vs FCPS 10/19/15 for the current requirements of IDEA with specific regards to requirements for providing a FAPE. Excerpts from the decision are below;

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
creates a federal grant program to assist states in educating
children with disabilities. See 20 U.S.C. § 1411 (2012). To
receive federal funding, states must provide each student with a
disability a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE).

The Supreme Court held that schools need not “maximize each child’s potential.” Id. at 198. The Court held that a FAPE requires “access” to instruction “individually designed to provide educational benefit.” Id. at 201. Because that access to education must be “meaningful,” id. at 192, schools have to provide “some educational benefit” to fulfill Congress’s intent, id. at 200.

In this circuit, the standard remains the same as it has been for decades: a school provides a FAPE so long as a child receives some educational benefit, meaning a benefit that is more than minimal or trivial, from special instruction and services. close quote

So your resort to risibly juvenile invective and demonstrated limited comprehension of the issue identifies you as a demagogue rather than a competent participant in the important debate of how to efficiently spend the taxpayers dollars.

As an example, the Aspire school program highlighted in a recent NPR episode described how "several therapists and social workers" assist the 17 students who "take online courses so they can work by themselves, at their own pace". The program costs $28,000 per pupil - twice that spent on kids in regular classes.

Is this money well spent? We need to evaluate these programs and expenditure longitudinally (over time) to assess outcomes, evaluate against other treatments and assess the benefits to the student and the community. A clear headed, data supported, logical analysis is preferable to emotion based assertions, demagogic propaganda and ad hominem attacks. The future of our County depends on providing efficient services in every venue - most particularly in education. Join the team.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: HEY JACKASS! ()
Date: September 23, 2016 03:51PM

JnVFu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ryan we know you're reading this Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You could have stopped right there. Never going
> to
> > happen from this board. They're too busy with
> > bathroom policies and bus engine blocks to
> figure
> > out how to run a large, diverse school system.
>
> LOL! You low-grade worthless right-wing dumbfucks
> are the only ones worried about such things. Why
> not just shut the fuck up, seeing as how
> freakishly stupid you all are. Garza -- like Dale
> before her -- was a competent and successful
> administrator. You stupid shits by contrast have
> never been competent or successful at ANYTHING.
> You're all just a bunch of hapless dumbass losers!

Whoa! Relax there. Don't blow a gasket. And your name calling doesn't help whatever point you're trying to make.

The point was that this board doesn't make the hard decisions. They defer to the community for ideas on cuts that they know will need to happen but eventually won't then they beg the county for money then the blame the state for taking away money then they hope and pray and push for a new tax which even if all of the funds went to school system (they don't) they still would not be able to cover the deficit. Meanwhile certain members hijack the agenda for settling petty scores and advancing their own political careers on the backs of students. The fact that you're losing your mind over facts pointed out on some low level local forum shows that you are the hapless dumbass loser.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: 96tears ()
Date: September 23, 2016 04:09PM

Nu8Gd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> you claim that IDEA expenses are federally
> mandated - not accurate - see the U.S. Court of
> Appeals 4th Circuit's unanimous decision in O.S.
> vs FCPS 10/19/15 for the current requirements of
> IDEA with specific regards to requirements for
> providing a FAPE. Excerpts from the decision are
> below;
>
> The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
> (IDEA)
> creates a federal grant program to assist states
> in educating
> children with disabilities. See 20 U.S.C. § 1411
> (2012). To
> receive federal funding, states must provide each
> student with a
> disability a “free appropriate public
> education” (FAPE).
>
> The Supreme Court held that schools need not
> “maximize each child’s potential.” Id. at
> 198. The Court held that a FAPE requires
> “access” to instruction “individually
> designed to provide educational benefit.” Id. at
> 201. Because that access to education must be
> “meaningful,” id. at 192, schools have to
> provide “some educational benefit” to fulfill
> Congress’s intent, id. at 200.
>
> In this circuit, the standard remains the same as
> it has been for decades: a school provides a FAPE
> so long as a child receives some educational
> benefit, meaning a benefit that is more than
> minimal or trivial, from special instruction and
> services. close quote
>
> So your resort to risibly juvenile invective and
> demonstrated limited comprehension of the issue
> identifies you as a demagogue rather than a
> competent participant in the important debate of
> how to efficiently spend the taxpayers dollars.
>
> As an example, the Aspire school program
> highlighted in a recent NPR episode described how
> "several therapists and social workers" assist the
> 17 students who "take online courses so they can
> work by themselves, at their own pace". The
> program costs $28,000 per pupil - twice that spent
> on kids in regular classes.
>
> Is this money well spent? We need to evaluate
> these programs and expenditure longitudinally
> (over time) to assess outcomes, evaluate against
> other treatments and assess the benefits to the
> student and the community. A clear headed, data
> supported, logical analysis is preferable to
> emotion based assertions, demagogic propaganda and
> ad hominem attacks. The future of our County
> depends on providing efficient services in every
> venue - most particularly in education. Join the
> team.

^^^thank you.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Kohler ()
Date: September 23, 2016 08:31PM

A what? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Word is, she demanded and got a $17,000 private
> bathroom installed at Gatehouse...taxpayer
> dollars!


So the Queen wanted her own throne?

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: moh munneh ()
Date: September 23, 2016 10:23PM

so the Kristen Michaels stood before the School Board tonight and asked for an additional $134M for next year's (FY18) budget. The avarice is unrestrained.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: truth hurts ()
Date: September 24, 2016 12:24AM

transgender classes and bathrooms put in place...drop the mic...and get payed by nwo ngo time...
Attachments:
trans.png

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: ContextNeeded ()
Date: September 24, 2016 12:46AM

People who are concerned about taxes should focus on big ticket items, not one $17,000 bathroom, or for that matter, one $300,000 salary for the Superintendent.

For example, FCPS spends far more on pension plan contributions than other Virginia school districts. That's because FCPS has its own supplemental pension plan on top of the state-required pension plan.

Extra FCPS pension benefits - those not required by the state - could be reduced for current employees, especially those who haven't worked for FCPS for 5 years. FCPS bureaucrats, however, suggested that this was neither possible nor a good idea. What a conflict of interest.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: mo' money... ()
Date: September 24, 2016 04:29PM

so Ms. Michaels puts up a chart that purports to show that FCPS salaries are well below two competitor districts - but these are Arlington and City of Alexandria - hardly comparable districts in size or resources. Why not compare to Montgomery or Prince William etc? Then she focuses on salary and ignores the double pension benefits that FCPS teachers accrue. Better to look at total compensation when comparing - but that won't support the assertion that FCPS teachers are underpaid (for more info refer to the WABE for total compensation figures).

But dwarfing even the pension costs is the spending in FCPS on Special Education which is growing at more than 6% annually while spending on regular students is declining in real terms. This is where the real money is... Note in the FY17 Community Information Meetings handout (pg. 17) in the average High School there are 100 teachers for general education and 42.5 Special Education teachers and assistants. In fact, last year the number of general education teachers was cut while teachers for special education were increased...

How long will FCPS maintain a reputation for quality education when these trends are extrapolated... The answer is it won't (71% of seniors don't pass the SOLs) and business will not be able to attract employees who don't want to pay high taxes or send their kids to classes with 30 kids. FCPS and FFX must ensure efficient management of taxpayers dollars or businesses (ExxonMobil as an example) will leave.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Use some reason ()
Date: September 24, 2016 05:35PM

"For example, FCPS spends far more on pension plan contributions than other Virginia school districts. That's because FCPS has its own supplemental pension plan on top of the state-required pension plan.

Extra FCPS pension benefits - those not required by the state - could be reduced for current employees, especially those who haven't worked for FCPS for 5 years. FCPS bureaucrats, however, suggested that this was neither possible nor a good idea. What a conflict of interest."



Other districts have matching payments to the 403(b) plan instead of the supplemental local pension plan. Prince William County does this. So those kinds of plans are probably not grouped under "pension plan" in their budgets, but they are a benefit that is linked to retirement. So be careful how you look at these "plans". Personally I would prefer to have the matching 403(b) plan like PW County has, but FCPS does not have that. If pensions are to become more like 401(K) type, salaries need to be reasonable enough that people can save in the 401(K) vehicles. Otherwise you are going to have teachers who are in their 70's and I'm sure you can remember what those teachers are like.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: the decline ()
Date: September 24, 2016 05:41PM

I do agree that Special Education costs are out of control.

Instead of saying everyone needs to be on the college track and pass tests (which causes Special Education referrals and special "accomodations"), we need to realize that some people just need (and want!)a vocational type of education. Once we put money into that (instead of Special Education), we will have much better outcomes in terms of employability and happiness. The teachers know this, but are mandated to do what they are doing. It's another reason teachers are leaving the profession. At least the ones who are passionate about what they are doing and why they are doing it.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: mo' money ()
Date: September 24, 2016 06:30PM

yes - we need to take account of all forms of compensation when comparing across school systems - and we may need to accommodate changing preferences to attract and retain the best teachers (e.g. reduce DB pensions and increase salaries and/or 401(k) options), although there is little or no evidence that FCPS cannot retain or attract good teachers (despite emotional and data lite assertions to the contrary).

Teaching should be focused on outcomes - call it competency. The school system does a huge disservice to the children, the community and employers when it claims to "educate" children who then can't pass even the low bar of the SOLs. There should be no "social promotion" - the students should be grouped in cohorts that span several age groups and be taught until they can pass a test that demonstrates to themselves and others that they have mastered the material. Anything less is "the soft bigotry of low expectations".

The schools should provide all the education that each student can absorb and master - no more and no less. Vo-tech training should be honored as important and skills taught should include home economics and civics. It should not be expensive. With this approach, schools will do their duty to the community and our community will thrive. If special interests prevail and distract the school system from teaching we will all pay a very high price.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: 9etmu ()
Date: September 24, 2016 07:47PM

JnVFu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Garza -- like Dale before her -- was a competent and
> successful administrator.

That depends on the standards you consider in judging them.

Mount Vernon is a failed school. Lee is headed in the same direction. Marshall is starting to slip and the other high schools in the eastern and southeastern part of the county are in trouble. Fairfax average SAT scores are below Arlington. The scool system lowered grade standards and made it harder to flunk out. Right wingers may unfairly blame Garza for certain policies that were primarily the school board's, and while they hypocritically fault her for cutting the best deal she could for herself. However Garza and Dale do share some of the blame for the growing alienation of parents, teachers and the Board of Supervisors towards the school system.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: N3j96 ()
Date: September 25, 2016 11:27AM

^ +1 yep, would be nice to see some real communication and respect between the players. Garza fanned a lot of antagonism with her special pleadings and emotional appeals. Hard to get the credibility back I suspect. The Board doesn't have a strong leader. Schools are stressed under policies that don't contribute to real learning. Bit of a mess actually.

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Re: Karen Garza'a Resignation
Posted by: Leader of the Pack ()
Date: September 25, 2016 07:23PM

Ryan Mcelveen thinks he leads the school board but that is a minority opinion. Garza, by the way, was utterly incompetent.

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