I attended the Board meeting last night -- my graduate is one of the Baltimore Scholars -- and I was struck by the stilted tone during the Morris accolades. Now we know why. Dr. Alonso, shame on you for the lack of transparent process, for hiring someone with not a whit of actual educational experience, and for spending MY money in such a manner. You are hired at the discretion of parents, and to misuse our trust, our funds is unfortunate. And to Board member Heck: kudos to your wit for handing to Morris the "lettuce." We all got your subtext.

I scratch your back, you scratch mine seems to sum to up pretty good to me. Smacks of smoky backroom, Tammany Hall style politics. Should we really be surprised?

Beyond the obvious conflict of interest concerns, the fact that that much money is going to a newly created, unadvertised position seems like the patronage is alive and well.

It doesnt even matter if people hoo and haw about what a wonderful man and great advocate of kids Mr. Morris is ( I am sure he is), protocol was clearly abandoned to do a favor for a loyal political ally and friend. The song remains the same, we just changed outfits.

Wow.

Really, what more can you say than that?

This is Baltimore at its most typical, and very disappointing.

This just seems like such a politically unsavvy move that I can't get my mind around it. I think what troubles me is (1) the position was not advertised; at least the last time this happened with David Stone and the charter office, the position had been posted; and (2) that it doesn't seem like Morris is going to step down from his other job? The article says he is going to "take on a less significant role", but it seems like he needs to step back altogether until he truly gets his footing with the school system job. If he is already making $175,000,it doesn't seem like he really needs to have a second job?

As with David's comments, I have no doubt Morris cares for city kids, but a process should have been followed. I wonder if this is just going to blow over or whether there will be ongoing backlash?

To Post @ Morris new BCPSS job nepotism concerns at BCPSS/City Schools!

Just parallel observations as follows:

“According to Bill Reinhard, a spokesman at the Maryland State Department of Education, the state decided not to advertise for the position this time around because it received enough volunteers who want to serve on the board.”
“The city school board will soon be getting at least one new board member when the longtime president of the board, Brian Morris, leaves in July.”
“At Tuesday night's city school board meeting, Andres Alonso announced that JoAnne Koehler, the human resources officer for the school system, will be retiring. Alonso said he asked Koehler to think about it for a week while she was on vacation because he hoped she would stay. But she came back a week later and said, sorry, I am gone. "
“The Baltimore Teachers Union complained yesterday that some principals are now telling a small group of highly qualified teachers they won't have jobs for them in the fall. The union says they believe between 25 and 100 teachers are in the midst of having to find new positions inside the system or in their schools because their current jobs will no longer exist next school year.”
“A story about a drastic rise in permanent expulsions from Baltimore schools this year following the explosions at Patterson High, that the system would start permanently expelling students found guilty of arson or detonating explosives. Think of how hard the school system tried to get dropouts back into school, with phone calls and door knocking, and wonder why the same can't be done to help families figure out something -- anything -- to prevent these troubled children from ending up on the streets.”
“When it comes to recognizing teachers in Baltimore schools, better late than never. Following the news that the city's Teacher of the Year was selected from among only 13 nominees.”
“The city school board tonight named Landa McLaurin director of the system's new school support networks. McLaurin has been a principal coach with New Leaders for New Schools for the past three years since leaving her post as principal of Western High.”
“Learning loss and school closures acknowledged that the learning loss when a school is to close is substantial but with that said, in local district Baltimore City the closures are a still must proceed school board priority. Baltimore City local school districts still have a responsibility to ensure that students from each closing schools get seats in good schools. We city school stakeholders say they City Schools should be working with teachers to ease their fears and pave the way for the smoothest transition possible.”
“Spending stimulus education money Arne Duncan told us yesterday that there's a huge need for professional development in special education -- for all teachers, not just those designated special Ed. He'd love to see IDEA money spent on that and Title 1 money spent on lengthening school days, weeks and years.”
“The Baltimore school board has elected Neil Duke as its new chair. He'll assume the position this summer when Brian Morris steps down (and also fill in for Morris at the May 12 board meeting). George VanHook will be the new vice chair.”
“The Baltimore school board has announced a closed session meeting for tomorrow afternoon "to discuss the functions of the Board." What does that mean? Got no inside information on this one, but my guess would be that they're meeting to talk about who will take over as board president when Brian Morris steps down this summer.”
“At the Mayors' National Forum on Education in Washington this week, Arne Duncan made the case that all urban school districts should be under mayoral control -- and said he would get involved in advocacy at the local level to see to governance changes.”
“Could North Avenue get too small? At last night's budget hearing, Dr. Alonso said he's proud to likely be the first city schools superintendent accused of shrinking the bureaucracy too much. The most protest seems to be coming over the downsizing and merging of the content-related offices: science, social studies, and math. Science, technology and math would be consolidated into a new STEM office, and social studies would fall under humanities. These are not big offices to begin with, and under the proposal, they'll only have a few staff members each.”

If you do not speak up now, you will not speak up later! Your choice...

Why would Alonso choose to handle this in this way? It seems so politically tone deaf. The resulting flap - which he had to anticipate - will hamper Morris's ability to do the job. A lose-lose proposition, all the way around.

Can anyone justify the pay for Morris? Why is he making that much money?

I read today's article with disgust and resignation. How galling, yet how unsurprising. I thought that Alonso was going to be different, but somewhere he fell headlong into a "I'll scratch you back" posture. I can't help but wonder, if this move wasn't predicated on the current pain in the real estate industry and by extension Morris--nice work, if you can get it.

I wonder what and when, Alonso intends to say about the matter. I'm fully expecting some kind of mealy mouth explanation extolling Morris' experience and committment.

Reading the other comments, I'm struck by how numbed we are to this kind of behavior. We've gotten to a point where we've almost come to expect it. I certainly do when it comes to City Hall or the Council and naively thought that the "new" North Avenune would be different.

Liz - with all due respect, "city schools" = City Schools.

I wonder how many relevant graduate degrees Brian Morris has earned? An M.A.T., M.Ed, M.B.A., C.P.A., J.D., etc? None mentioned on his school board profile. One would think that for a top salaried position, there would be minimum qualifying requirements, especially for that ridiculous salary. Not all certification standards are effective, but in the field of education it's probably helpful for top leaders to have earned at least one specialized degree (i.e. a finance chief having any type of relevant masters degree in finance, accounting, etc.). I'm just saying...

No surprise he got this job considering he was instrumental in the hiring of Alonzo. It smells like quid pro quo to me. Baltimore City will continue to be a joke as long as these people are in charge. Morris isn't hurting for a job since he's CEO of his own development company. The joke's on the taxpayers.

I feel sorry for some of the people who work at North Avenue having to deal with so many tough situations, bad publicity and zero morale. I hope Mr. Morris will use wisdom in his position and treat the employees well. They've been through enough. Usually people work like their treated, which may be why we see such poor results.

Response to Amy's question "Can anyone justify the pay for Morris?" I can ...... he supported Alonzo and paybacks cost money. It is that simple. Just another blemish on the image of the Baltimore City School System and Government.

Response to Amy's question "Can anyone justify the pay for Morris?" I can ...... he supported Alonzo and paybacks cost money. It is that simple. Just another blemish on the image of the Baltimore City School System and Government.

The school board complains constantly about too little funds, then creates a new $175k job, and then the board gives it to the resigning school board chairmen. If that isn't a perfect example of misuse of public funds I don't know what is. Every member of the board should be FIRED.

Business as usual in Baltimore. It's all about the "MONEY & POWER"

How odd to hire someone who has no background in education, other than sitting on the board. Why not post the job and see which candidates you find? I can see a former military officer doing a great job at something like this. But we'll never know.

Just Baltimore being Baltimore.

Kudos to the Baltimore Sun for being on top of this story. Now, let's see if you can follow up and get some justice for the taxpayer here. The Sun should continue to keep on top of this and investigate thoroughly.

I would love to see lists published either online or in hard print of ALL public officials with their titles, salaries and possibly their responsibilities. The Sun should do this on a regular basis. I'd like to see this info for the administrators at North Avenue, Towson University, Morgan University, etc. as well as Police Department, etc.

If I knew that a list like this was being posted twice a week, you can be sure I would be online or subscribing.

Surely there must be a means of protest. I've written my letter to Alonso, even though I've risked certain censure. Would Grasmick be interested in an investigation as to the hiring practices?

I know Morris is a very close "friend" of O'Malley, and perhaps Alonso thinks the Morris hire will help to gain access in Annapolis, but Alonso must see that overall, this hire is politically one of the stupidest moves he could have made. Even Nate McFadden (who was, of course, present at last night's meeting) can't give enough coverage or friends to Alonso or Morris.

Alonso, who's had a relatively smooth ride up to now, has just switched on a very, very hot spotlight on all of his future dealings and decisions. Morris hardly seems worth the trouble.

Post @ Nepotism Concerns at BCPSS/City Schools Contact Dana Petersen Moore at the City Ethics Board to Investigate Alleged Violations.
Board of Ethics
History:
The City Ethics Board was created by a 1963 Charter Amendment to enforce certain new prohibitions against conflicts of interest. Financial disclosure requirements were added to the law in 1974.
In 1981, the State enacted a new, comprehensive Maryland Public Ethics Law; among other things, the new State law mandated each local jurisdiction to adopt its own, local ethics law that would be "similar" or, in some instances, "substantially similar" to the State's. Accordingly, in 1982 and 1985, the City Charter and the City Code were revised and expanded to conform to that State law.
More recently, in 2004, the City Ethics Law was again revised, expanded, and clarified by Ordinance 04-795 {"Ethics - 'Raising the Bar'"}. This new law, which reflects many "lessons learned" over the preceding two decades, became effective January 1, 2005 .

Purpose and Goals

The City Ethics Law is intended "[t]o guard against improper influence or even the appearance of improper influence, and to ensure public trust in the government". To that end, the Ethics Law:
sets ethical standards on the conduct of all City officials and employees as necessary or appropriate to prevent a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict, requires City officials and high-level employees, within 6 months of appointment, to undergo formal training in the requisites of the Ethics Law and sign and to submit a Conflicts Affidavit, requires City officials and specified employees to file annual financial disclosure statements, open to public inspection, and requires legislative- and executive-branch lobbyists to file registration statements and periodic activity reports, open to public inspection.

Board Functions:

Among other duties, the Ethics Board: issues advisory opinions on questions relating to the Ethics Law, under appropriate circumstances, grants exemptions from certain provisions of the Ethics Law, investigates alleged violations of the Ethics Law, and generally enforces compliance with the Ethics Law.

Board Membership:

The Ethics Board comprises 5 unsalaried members, each of whom must be "of known personal integrity" and must possess "recognized knowledge and interest in government and civics". Of these:

3 are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council,

1 is a designee of the Mayor, and

1 is a designee of the City Solicitor.

The Board's current members are:

Dana Petersen Moore

Alexander Chambers

{Vacant}

Donald Huskey (Solicitor's Designee)

{Vacant} (Mayor’s Designee)

Staff

The Ethics Board is staffed and supported by:

Elena DiPietro, Administrator

410-396-3209

Anita Evans, Registrar

410-396-4730

I think it has come to the point where we (teachers, parents, students, administrators, community members, etc.) need to get organized and end Alonso's reign as dictator of City Schools. The people of Baltimore should not be used just so Alonso has another highlight on his resume. It's time to shake things up at North Ave. and I say we do it now.

I live in Harford County but our county has been just as frustrated with many actions of their school board. The county is finally get a partially elected school board but it wasn't without a fight from current school board members who felt they shouldn't have to run because it was "political." Imagine that! Many within the system fight very hard to maintain the status quo and their power and claim that the ignorant masses (parents) can't understand the enormity of their job. If these are the kind of payoffs they are getting to support the superintendent, it is no wonder there are so many "volunteers" to serve on the next school board.

Has anybody thought about the fact that schools are improving at a faster pace, thanks to Alonso's leadership - in spite of some of the ridiculous snipers on this blog who don't get it (nor will they ever it seems) - and that in spite of the questionable timing of his appointment, the system now has a professional businessman with expertise in facilities and construction just in time to focus on projects and innovative programs that can be funded by stimulus dollars! There evidently wasn't time to waste and Alonso continues to build a team that will lead city schools out of the decades-old morass that some of you seem to want to see continue! Boo Hoo on all the naysayers!

Pretty typical Baltimore. Now that my wife is pregnant, the clock is ticking for us to get out of the city.

I thought the "golden parachute" concept applied only to those in business--didn't know it also applies to VOLUNTEER WORK (i.e., school board)! Wow, what a great gig! We all knew that Brian Morris was in Alonso's back pocket but this is ridiculous. The deal stinks to high heaven. Is no one willing to say that the emperor (Alonso) has no clothes? At the very least, this personnel action warrants a full-fledged inquiry by ethics/legal experts. Is anyone listening at MSDE?

No seriously. I'm not interested in all the whining; we've established there's dysfunction. I just want to know if this is that.

It sounds like it, but I don't know what's really going on behind the scenes. Is there any sort of logic to this HUGE paycheck for Morris? Is anyone who works at North Avenue or is on the school board interested in sharing the rationale?

Maybe he is being paid so much because he will do the work of the 86 positions eliminated? And who were all the new people introduced last night? Looks like the CEO is ridding North Ave of the "old" guards.

well, i can't say i'm suprised. just dissappointed that theres so much corruption in the education sysem. And the wost part about it is, if they spent half the time and energy they spend on being scandalous on actually helping the kids, then maybe we wouldn't be having this disscussion.
I'm just glad I already graduated.

The school system has been undergoing dramatic reform, growth of charter schools and accelerated improvements in testing scores and graduations under Alonso and Brian Morris' Leadership. What really matters here is that Morris who is a product of the school system, understands it inside out, has staunchly opposed the bureaucracy and irrational demands of the union had to step off the school Board and has delivered all the improvements he stated as goals to date. This hiring is a good thing, although the appearance on the surface is not what one would hope for.

In the successful parts of the business world they don't call it patronage, they calling it hiring a known top performer.

Top officers owe it to students NOT to go through with this! No more robberies! To address this blog directly transparency on the part of top level officials should show their hands. Come on! Did we not learn from Wall Street and REALestate that what happens in the dark comes to the light. The former board chair should refer back to the August 2009 Principals meeting and remind himself of the speech given to principals about City Schools not having enough choice or rigor for his own son to attend. What has changed for him? Students of Baltimore cannot afford not one more person professing to work hard for them. How can administrative accountability of this type ensure students will get the attention they so desperately deserve and need. I am suggesting that this organization chart be erased and start all over.

This is ridiculous. Brian Morris must really be laying it on Dr. Alonso to be rewarded for such loyalty (of course they'd say commitment to the children on Baltimore City). If City Hall doesn't do something far greater than allude to it being a "personnel matter" and reserving comment I will be DONE with this city and seriously reconsider living in one of the outlying counties. Have Brian Morris and Alonso no shame.....stop! That's a rhetorical question.

Bill...oh, Bill...are you out there??? Can you post on this one or is it too close to home?

If you have a coach who is producing wins, you let him pick his own players. What is it with Baltimore that when we get someone who actually is effective we want to tear them down any chance we get? Dysfunction anyone?

I've lived here for almost 30 years. I'm happier with Dixon than any mayor in that time. I am way happier with Alonso than any school ceo in that time. They do not have to be perfect, they just have to be effective.

I agree the process could be better, but that is no reason to trash Alonso or Morris - results are what count, and the results have been good so far.

Post @ MCPSS PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 9, 2009

200 E. North Avenue Baltimore, MD 21202
Sheila Dixon, Mayor, City Of Baltimore Andres A. Alonso, Ed.D., Chief Executive Officer
Jerrelle Francois, Acting Chair, Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners
CONTACT: Edie House‐Foster (410) 545‐7296 (o) (410) 852‐5637 (m)
200 E. North Avenue, Room 406 ● Baltimore, Maryland 21202 ● Phone: (410) 396-8709 ● Fax: (410) 545-3613
Visit us on the web at: www.baltimorecityschools.org
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Top-Level Appointments Solidify CEO’s Leadership Team, Position City
Schools for Next Phase of Transformation
Interim Chief of Staff Tisha Edwards made permanent; Brian D. Morris to become Deputy CEO for
Operations; Benjamin Feldman appointed Chief Accountability Officer
(Baltimore, MD) — At its last regular meeting of the 2008-09 school year tonight, the Baltimore City Board of
School Commissioners approved three top-level appointments by Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Andrés A.
Alonso that position City Schools’ leadership team for the next major phase of the school system’s
transformation. The Board approved the permanent appointment of Interim Chief of Staff Tisha Edwards; the
creation of a new position, Deputy CEO for Operations, to be filled by exiting Board Chair Brian D. Morris; and
the appointment of Research Officer Benjamin Feldman as Chief Accountability Officer, also a new position.
“All three of these individuals represent extraordinary talent and capacity to lead the central office in its evolving
but absolutely critical role of supporting schools,” said Dr. Alonso. “We have spent the last year building the
infrastructure to transform City Schools. We have placed schools at the center of all that we do, by moving
resources and decision-making authority to them and holding them accountable for student achievement. We are
starting to see solid momentum in academic achievement with across-the-board, record gains; our students are
showing the world what they can do. Now it’s time to do the actual transformation work and create a system of
great schools. And we do that by supporting schools to truly become learning communities where all kids achieve
at the highest possible levels. Tisha, Brian and Ben will enable us to provide that highest level of customer service
to our schools.”
“Dr. Alonso is putting in place the necessary leadership to take the reform of City Schools to the next level. The
school system is moving in the right direction, and having strong leaders executing the day-in and day-out work
of the agency is critical,” said Neil Duke, who succeeds Mr. Morris as Board Chair, effective July 1.
“We will miss Brian on the Board. He has been a true leader and visionary among us, and I am pleased that his
talents and insights will remain very much a part of the transformation of City Schools.”

To Thick Skin,

I'm curious. Are you a teacher who sees the schools improving? I love my job and my students, but I see for myself and hear from colleagues across the city that schools are definitely not improving. Most everyone, administrators and teachers alike feel powerless, threatened to lose their jobs and frustrated at the lack of common sense in decision making that seems to be in direct contrast to what we, as masters of education, know to be the best practices in childhood development. Yes, test scores are up, but as a former number cruncher, stats are can be made to look how the user wants.

Yeah--I have to agree---this does not look or sound good---but as my mom used to say " they do what they wanna do."

I have no real problem with Morris and the job he did on the Board. Is he the best candidate for this new job? We will never know because there was no opportunity for other candidates to apply and be considered. I have a real problem with that. I also have a problem with the fact that the plans for this position and his hiring took place while he was still on the board. Even if everything is on the up and up, it certainly doesn't appear that way, and thus undermines the leadership and position of Dr. Alonso and the effectiveness of Morris in his new role. At best it was a stupid move.

I'm going to have to agree with thick skin on this one - I believe the purpose of this was to facilitate City Schools ability to capitalize on the stimulus funds for school facilities projects which are desparately needed along with streamlining operational relationships. The system has a $2.7 billion dollar school facilities plan and about $35 million annually coming in to address all of their needs. This money is coming quick and will be short lived. I also agree with the results and that things are improving in City Schools. I think Dr. Alonso for the most part is making the right decisions (more so than any of the other CEO's I've witnessed prior to him). I do agree that the major error here is the lack of transparency and the lack of an open process was a mistake. Surely the system could have opened the job up to more than one qualified applicant especially considering the pay scale to find the best person - even with a short turn around time.

@ Thick Skin and others alike, you are correct about the timing being a little suspicious, more like a lot suspicious. I think what concerns everyone is job security, lack of transparency, and clear communication to the stakeholders of the education system. The plan is changing daily. Plainly speaking, I don't believe Mr. Morris or anyone warrants a position that pays 175K/year. His college education and board service does not qualify him. Just because he attended the schools in Baltimore does not make him qualified either. If so, I have over 350 students ready for the position. Oh wait…., it wasn’t advertised for qualified individuals. Furthermore, under the current budget strains of the city how can this salary be seriously justified? Specifically, that is what makes this appointment so appalling. It appears to be basic cronyism here. We all know the support that Mr. Morris has given to Dr. Alonso from the very beginning. This move brings into question the integrity of future executive decisions. In regards to stimulus money, money for facilities upgrades was axed from the original proposed stimulus bill, a compromise that allowed it to pass. I find it a little disturbing; there is not a diverse set of ideas floating within North Ave. It is a dictatorship, bar-none. Anyone who might oppose him is warned not to, or else. The board has given him carte blanche to operate the school system; therefore the board has become unnecessary. I just hope that he is successful, because “it’s about the students, it’s about the students, it’s about the students”, as Alonso has said in the past. If he isn’t successful he can just move on, the students will suffer the long term consequences.

$175,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Schools across the city lost postions, have next to no money for anything, and are gracefully making do. The teachers of the year got soggy,rain drenched food and a lousy,cheap,certificate!!!! Priorities.Children second last. Teachers last. Every time the central office shrinks a bit you find out that all that happened is titles changed, desks, moved, other expensive folks were hired. It all a shell game. And NO...schools are no different than they were except maybe the really bad ones.If you are functioning reasonably well you are on your own. Maybe that is not all bad. Why does anyone earn more than a teacher? We are the ones doing the job;one superintendent after another. And we change lives on a daily basis! Where is Bill? Living well on stipends, consulting fees,whatever..but then something has to pay for law school.

The bottom line is here that the pay scale for this position is what is getting everyone fired up. We are losing staff positions because of budget cuts and then not one but two new high-paying positions get filled without due process. That is what stinks. I could care less about Morris; he might be the best person for the job but he already had one and HE DID SAY that BCPSS wasn't good enough for his own children. Has he changed his mind now that he is being paid by the system?

This is just another example of what happens when teachers, students, parents, principals and community members don't speak up. When Alonso was first hired last year and said he wanted to be able to make any changes he wanted in the school system without any interference from the board, why weren't people speaking up then. The last time I checked this is the United States of America and we are supposed to be a democracy. Decisions that effect our community, our children and our well being can not be done in the back rooms of North Avenue. This is an insult to the intelligence of all Baltimore City residents and just opening the door for politicians to strip us of any voice in policies that effect us.

Alonso has done what we have allowed him to do. Which is run our school system like a tyrant with no oversight. As a government teacher I tell my students about the difference between an authoritarian government and democracy. Democracy thrives on the action and voice of the people, authoritarian governments thrive on fear, absolute power and disregard to anyone's needs and wants except those of it's leaders. Tell me what does our current school system and board resemble?

Grammar overload!

Really, Mr. Morris should produce a 1st quarter revenue statement for his company. Given the state of commercial development in Baltimore, it's hard to think the company is doing well. If he's making significantly more money and choosing this position out of a desire for public service, I'll feel more comfortable with the appointment. If he's failing like almost every other developer, and he's using his relationship with Dr. Alonso and his position as Board Chairperson to subsidize his failing business, I think this is a disaster.

Hope he does well for the kids. It's a done deal now.

There are a few things that I feel I need to say:

1) Some have equated this with a business that hires the best person for the team. I agree that a leader should be able to hire their team, but what I want to make clear is that City School's aren't a business - they are a governmental agency and spending tax dollars. As such they are supposed to be held to different standards and even some specific laws.

2) When David Stone took the job right out of being on the Board a while back there was at least the appearance of doing the right thing - there was a posting and a chance for others to apply. I don't think that anyone who knows much thought this was a real process, but at least it didn't stink like this one.

3) This isn't the only position that has lacked a process to fill it. In fact Ms. Edwards' being appointed the COS is the same - a broken promise for a posting and nationwide search. Instead, she was appointed as interim and then the promised posting and search didn't happen. Just like Mr. Morris, no one will know if she's the most qualified person for the job or the most effective since there isn't a chance to compare her to anyone else.

4) The position created for Mr. Morris isn't on the Org chart that is currently published. If he was taking the COS position for example, or there had been any discussion about creating a new position at the top of the org chart this might not quite smell as bad as it does. There wasn't.

5) As for AAA and the schools getting better. I have been (under a different ID) a very strong supporter of AAA. In light of the Morris decision along with others that put into question AAA's ethics I have done some hard reflection on his time and impact here. I have worked for City Schools for over 15 years as a teacher and now as a school leader. I send my kids to city schools. And I am a tax payer in the city. While the Board and AAA have made some much needed changes - changing the way funding is done, re-organizing central office, pushing the idea of bringing students back into the system, pushing hard conversations about what it means to educate all kids, closing schools that should have been closed years ago - he has not set forth a single thing in terms of instruction and learning or curriculum. In fact the CAO seems to be a non-position. I give AAA and Morris credit for pushing much needed change that has for the first time since I have been here brought kids into the system. I cannot give them credit for rising achievement. For that I credit hard working educators and school staff, hard working kids and families as well as outside groups who support the kids directly. No policy I have seen, no discussion I have heard or been a part of from central office has been about teaching and learning.

6) While I read the press release about Ms. Edwards, Mr. Morris and Mr. Feldman being a "team" that will lead us, I read it with the knowledge that AAA is NOT in fact building a team of leaders, not making space for those who could become great leaders and who share his (supposed) vision. There seem to be two types of leaders, those who need to be the smartest ones in the room and those who want others to be just as smart as they are. AAA has proven that he is the smartest one in the room (why I fell for him in the first place) and that he has some need to remain the smartest at the expense of building a true team. This is sad, for as soon as he isn't looking after us the impact that he might have will vanish. There will be no lasting legacy, no depth to his impact. He will be like those before him, a face on a painting that no one remembers. Those who are now enforcing his wishes will never be allowed to be groomed to lead. The impact of such leaders is short lived. We deserve better.

I know this has been a long post and I appreciate the fact that anyone might have read to the end of it. I also appreciate the fact that this Blog is back, at least for the moment (Liz - thanks!!!!!). I do wish this story had come out on Monday night when it was announced to some that the Morris situation was going to be presented at the Board meeting. That way the outcry might actually have had some impact. Now it seems, sadly that this is sound and fury amounting to nothing. Although nothing would make me happier than to have public pressure make AAA and Morris realize the err of their ways and to have Mr. Morris step down and enter a real process.

Finally, others have spoken about Mr. Morris knowing the system and being able to do the job so well. I ask what job? What knowledge? We have no idea what the job is except one that gets paid the 2nd highest salary in the system since there isn't a job posting to read over. And frankly, being on the board means squat in terms of actually knowing anything about the function and dysfunction of the system. I believe Mr. Stone found that out when he left his board position and took the charter school job - he learned the hard way that people tell the board a pack of lies. Mr. Morris will find that his knowledge of what is really going on is slim.

Thanks for reading!

This is a great hire and I know Brian will do an excellent job. Why go though a big waste of time searching when you have a perfectly qualified person ready, willing and very capable of doing the job? Dr. Alonso made the right choice.

Thought to consider... Is there outrage because it is Mr. Morris or because of the process? Because if it is the process than where were the public solicitations for the other positions confirmed on Tuesday night? I don't see any comments on those. So I would content, that it has to be about Mr. Morris. We ask that City Schools be run more business-like, well this is what big business leaders do! Bring in those that share their vision and who that they think they can work with.

As far as the Mayor and the State reeling this in... City Schools was put out on an island in 1997 and neither was willing to send in rescue boats in times of need (except around election time). It is too late for intervention now that City Schools is beginning to re-establish itself.

@Teacherwhocares - Ask your self, is your classroom improving because that is the start of all of City Schools improving. As I am sure you tell your students... don't worry about what others are doing... best the best YOU can be.

And your statement - "we, as masters of education, know to be the best practices in childhood development". Isn't this what the CEO is trying to foster... site based decision making from those who "know best"? Or is this now that the challenge has been issued, the "we know best" people look like they have been bluffing all along?

Yes this look bad... get over it.. when Gen Williams was hired there no public solication and there was a bit of who is he? The General did well during his time here. We must hope Mr. Morris will do the same.

How is it that we allow Dr. Alonso to have so much power yet he's not even an elected official? The people of Baltimore, especially the parents of kids who are attending its schools, should have a say in who runs their schools. There is no system of checks and balances. Dr. Alonso has free reign to do whatever he pleases and this is a prime example of a choice he made that does not benefit the students of the city schools. I know many teachers who complain that they don't have enough textbooks for each of their kids, have to buy their own chalk, don't have a working computer, etc. That $175,000 should be put to good use but instead it's being used to strengthen political ties. The people of Baltimore need to demand a better process of deciding how and who runs its school system. We can't rely on the union to do everything for us. We need to organize and demand that our school system is run democratically.

We need to remember this incident when Morris tries to run for Mayor in a few years. More info here

This message board is a nice consolation for Alonso's polite evasions of actual problems like violence, cheating and the fact that legit students are in classrooms with profoundly damaged and dangerous students he refuses to let schools expel or even suspend. He has shown himself to be complacently indifferent to matters that don't directly relate to his political image, and he is so laughably narcissistic that (of the new and entirely wasteful new job he created out of thin air) he said Morris has a "complete understanding of my [Alonso's] vision." He means of course that Morris will make a fine yes man. And what is this vision he is always mentioning? That we have "great schools and great kids"? It's not that his positivity bothers me. It's that he uses cliche to avoid protecting the minds of our truly great students and of mending the souls of our truly troubled ones.

Ask teachers at Lemmel about Alonso's refusal to acknowledge the system's unwillingness to deal with the consistently outrageous behavior of the Lemmel murderer before the murder was committed. Alonso's political response to that crime was ultimately to shut down the school, as if its very walls whisper sweet evils into the ears of its students.

My school is now without any art teacher or full-time music and PE teachers. All of these positions could be filled with the money Alonso is bailing out to this tacky real-estate developer.

@ a teacher

I couldn't have said it any better myself!

It's time for the people of Baltimore to start taking control of what their tax dollars are paying for!

In defense of...

just kidding. I've got nothing.

PS @elisabeth - that "consulting fee" you mentioned... I wish! Lord knows that wasn't the case.

It is NOT Mr. Morris that is the issue, rather the lack of process that is the issue. To spring this at the last minute with no chance for public comment, to have a sitting chairman negotiate and create a job for himself and then resign and 3 minutes later taking the new job, the fact that this is NOT a business, but a tax paid for public institution with different rules and laws and that there are supposed to be protocols that get followed and don't, the fact that this isn't an isolated incident, not even isolated this week (Ms. Edwards appointment is another example where no search was done for a very high paying position when one was promised). I am sure Mr. Morris has some things that are going to be great for the position. Could we not at least pretend to play by the rules?

The beauty of public schools is that anyone can get in; the problem with public schools is that anyone can get in. So do we celebrate the first or bemoan the second?

For years we complained of a do nothing CEO and Board. Now we get a decisive CEO and a Board that seems want to keep moving the system in the right direction. And one "slip-up" and the back alley haters want to off them all.

Isn't this the cyclic love-hate relationship that so permeates everything Baltimore and holds us back?

This city is spending over $1billion dollars to fix the sewer and less than $1million to fix their own school buildings. There have been close to $100 million in funding cuts to City Schools in the last two years and we spend energy on this garbage. Don't blame the CEO, blame the President (past and present), the Governors (past and present), the Mayors (past and present) but most of all blame the adults in this city who have allowed the schools to become an afterthought in the list of civic priorities!

The good news about Baltimore's schools continues. Brian Morris has been an exceptional Chair of the School Board and offers us new opportunities in his new role at City Schools. Tom Wilcox, Baltimore Community Foundation

You go Mr. Brian! You've got a good heart when it comes to the kids. I know you will do a great job!!!

Post @ City schools hiring and ethics and judicial conflicts of interest exposed.

Now in two school years (2 SY) citizen and stakeholders with children in the local city district public school system are starting to see with a wide lens camera view what actually Alonso decision making weakness and poor self fulfilling attitudes, poor communication style weakness are as follows:

• Dictatorship management style.
• Closed insecure mindedness personality type.
• Superior type attitude (I'm the smartest person in the room) displayed with when meeting with small parent groups and parent education organization/advocates evidenced by his own public confessions of his distain for such groups like the Parent and Community Advisory Board (PCAB) Baltimore City Public School System Board of School Commissioners (BCPSS/BOSC) and other education groups. "Don't be confused by the PR public false exterior he puts on his PR mask"

AAA thoughts/ideas weakness edict. “It’s my way or I will not talk to you and in his next step he will cut off any two-way personal and remote communication opportunities with that other dissenting thoughts/ideas person as soon as possible.” His shown weakness personal and remote communication style is non-adaptive, non-supporting, and non-flexible with those who are not (YES) men-or-women to him.

This BCPSS/BOSC unannounced and unadvertised hiring with public state/city tax dollars funds case in question was egregious but the state of Maryland and Baltimore City Ethics Boards must investigate violations breaches which should make sure its state and city municipal ethics rules are enforced and sufficient to prevent less clear conflicts of interest repeated occurrences. There are designed to prevent outsized internal/external wrongful influence by any one public hired executive staff individual member, but those rules or lack of in absence of rules are full of allowed loopholes that the state/local district judiciary or local municipal district ethics board should take into account. It’s time for him to get out of our school system before further damage is done and will not be reversible.

Thank you Liz for writing this editorial piece and reporting fairly on this issue. You have opened the general public's eyes to the type of leadership and decision making that many of us within the school system have been concerned with for quite some time. Obviously AAA has enough 'yes' people in place, and he does not need yet another reporter trumpeting him as the savior of the city. The citizens, students, parents, and educators of this city deserve this level of scrutiny directed at North Ave. Keep up the good work, you have the opportunity and responsibility to facilitate a change in behavior at the top!!!

"Mr. Morris, the spokesman said, knows the structure Mr. Alonso is putting in place better than anyone."

That's ridiculous. How can a real estate developer with no on-the-ground education experience be such an expert at putting school support structures in place. Furthermore, wasn't Landa McLaurin just hired a month ago (at who knows what fat salary) to oversee the new support structure? Doesn't she know what she's supposed to be doing?

@Gretchen

"It's time for the people of Baltimore to start taking control of what their tax dollars are paying for!"

The problem with this statement is that #1 the majority of people in this city pay little or no property taxes and #2 the majority of the people in this city have no real stake in the school system.

So we have a succession of Mayors who have for decades under contributed to the education of their own citizens at the same time bowing to the clamoring herd who demand a lower tax rate to make the city more attractive to outsiders.

@Liz -

Shame on you and the Sunpaper for today's article (6/12) about Mr. Morris's personal situation. You crossed that line. It is attacks like this that keep good people from stepping up. He is not running for office, he was offered a job and he took it.. end of story.. happens every day. While we can debate all day about the ethics of the process, it is not necessary to go into attack mode(again). We did not see similar vein of story when Mr. Sarbanes was given his job and as I&EP has repeatedly reminded us he had no educational background either.
Your time would have been better spent going after MSDE to get the names of the "volunteers" that have signed up to replace Mr. Morris. The state is doing the same thing that the CEO is accused of doing and there was very little coverage on that issue.

I just finished reading the article on the appointment of Morris as well as the article on the financial debts that he has accrued over the years. This is the person the Alonso has selected to run the Operations and Finances of the Baltimore City Schools? I teach in the city and am disgusted and appalled that Morris was supposed to make such a seamless transition from school board member to excessively paid employee. We all want to see change in the school system but there is something very careless about all of the trust and money that Alonso is putting into Morris. Teachers in Baltimore must be highly qualified and remain skilled in our content and pedagogy. What qualifications does Morris possess? I hope that the outrage continues and the Alonso rescinds his overly generous offer to Morris.

Makes me VERY HAPPY I do not live in Baltimore City anymore.....

I read with interest the article in today's Sun about Morris and what I want to say is, "Where's the beef?" There's much more to this than was reported - Morris has some business issues and again, the lack of transparency in this appointment cannot be "reported" only on the Blog. I would also be interested in hearing from the school board members who voted no (what was the final vote) on the appointment.

Oh, and one more thing, I like the call to action that I am hearing on the blog (nice to have everyone back in action) and I have not heard much about the fact that all of this hanky panky was done at the last meeting for a month. Clearly calculated by AAA to diffuse anger and action. Given the shady nature I would have done the same thing in his position. Of course I wouldn't have done it in the first place, but that's just me:-)

Typical sleazy Baltimore politics. Quid Pro Quo at its best.....How can someone who is not only incredibly inept at managing his own affairs, but shown to be a shady operator as well, be so rewarded and placed in a position of extreme fiscal and operational responsibility?? The corrupt culture of Baltimore politics continues to thrive.

"There were six votes for the personnel changes. James Campbell recused himself, and George VanHook abstained."

I would like to hear from those that voted for him. They must have know that this would be an issue.

@George - I am also glad you are no longer a resident of the City but would like to thank you for your continuing contribution to City Schools.

As another once self-employed person... you know you are not growing if you haven't been sued...

@VT - "You have opened the general public's eyes to the type of leadership and decision making that many of us within the school system have been concerned with for quite some time."

That spot light has been turning to each individual school. Are you and your peers ready for this type of scrutiny? Preliminary results don't look good. Teachers and principals need to make sure their own houses are in order instead of casting dispersions at North Ave. The most critical relationship in this whole process is student-teacher-family and that has historically been City Schools biggest failure.

Wow, what a horrible decision by a Superintendent who has otherwise done a great job. Congrats to the Sun for uncovering this information, which hopefully disqualifies Mr. Morris from the job. I don't really care about his prior role, but I do think the chief financial officer for a major urban district should be able to take care of his own finances. Dr. Alonzo should apologize for this mistake and move on.

@JDS35 -

HE IS NOT THE CFO !!!!!

By his past history and his own words, AAA does not govern by what is stated in the press. Although I do not like the process... I hope he stays to create such an outrage that all of those who have been sitting on the sidelines watch and pay attention to what has been happening. There has been some good and some questionable but City Schools is moving ahead.

The stakes associated with the functioning of our city schools are so high, that the normal scratch your back politics should be off the table. Is there any clarity on Brian Morris' qualifications that indicate he can manage the day-to-day operations of an almost 90,000 student school system?

Here's a message for Alonso, Baltimore City Schools SHOULD NOT be considered successful until middle class parents who have a choice between public and private schools decide that the quality of the education in Baltimore's school inclines them to enroll their children. Until then the Public Schools are simply second tier.

@JDs35

No, Alonso has not done "a great job." This latest mistake is unique only for its conspicuousness. Alonso's unwillingness to listen to people other than those who can further his political career has finally caught up to him. Alonso simply doesn't do his homework. If he had really cared about a conflict of interest in hiring Morris, why did he ask Morris if there was a conflict of interest? One doubts Alonso asked him at all, because that would have been completely fruitless, as it demonstrably was. It's just what he told The Sun in order to protect his reputation. If you care about a conflict of interest you ask yourself and people who can give you actual information. The Sun has thankfully done that.

Morris's and Alonso's responses to the Sun's questions are so typical of this city. They each are imbedded with the standard reference to oversights or forgotten/irrelevant incidents which now equates to striking them from the record.

The most discouraging aspect of the article is Morris's and Alonso's responses. No accountability, no responsibility and the unspoken assumption that this will blow over, the outrage will subside quickly, and they'll go back to rooking the city. Heck, Ravens summer camp is just around the corner.

Disgusting.

If you're black and democrat you're hired in Baltimore. The city is doomed the tax base is leaving. The money is going to run out.

According to '09 City Graduate, hiring Morris is hiring a proven top performer. By what guidelines is Morris a top performer? According to Morris' own testimony two weeks ago, he has managed his businesses so poorly that he has no money, no home, and no prospects. So either he's a failure as a businessman or he lied under oath. You don't want either one in a position of responsibility. If this position is so important and so vital, why wasn't it needed before? How is someone with a failing business (according to his own sworn testimony) going to now perform two full-time jobs? If this is what city graduates consider top performers, it's clear that the school system is in far more serious trouble than anyone thought.

Time for Mr. Morris to resign so as not to serve as a distraction to the many good things that Alonso is doing in the schools. The (lack of) process has fatally poisoned this appointment.

@ G.G. - only about half of the CEO's top level staff is black. Most of the Mayors top level staff is not black. Go figure....

There seems to be an interesting subplot to this blog... teachers don't think the CEO is doing a good job, parents do....Is it that the teachers are concerned because finally someone is holding them accountable? and look to this as an opportunity to weaken the CEO. I heard that was one of the reasons AAA was hired in the first place was the Copeland and Cooper-Boston had ties to the entrenched system power brokers and the Board was looking for someone who would challenge the status quo. Mr. Gittings remarks about this issue seen to validate this train of thought.

And let's look at this from another angle.. an astute businessman would legally protect his personal assets from creditors just in case the business falters. Statically 50% of all businesses fail so like looks like he may be smarter than he is being given credit for. Mr. Morris does not look like he is living on the streets nor missing any meals.

Going for 100 :)

On the other hand, "Over the Top," perhaps teachers are more critical of AAA than parents because after two years, they know that they still don't have the materials, quality professional development opportunities, and administrative supports they need to do their jobs under extremely challenging circumstances each day. . . I'm also not sure what AAA has done at this point to specifically hold teachers accountable. . .

Perhaps parents support AAA because they only know what they read and hear in news reports that have been manipulated by an obviously media savvy CEO who proclaims that there are "no throw away kids."

Good job Liz! I was beginning to think reporters at the Sun were drinking too much kool-aid. Of course, Mr. Morris' legal and financial problems are relevant--the last time I checked, he will be working for the government, not a private corporation. I'm shocked some commenters are willing to excuse Mr. Morris, in spite of some of President Obama's trouble with candidates for cabinet positions (Daschle). Do you think Woodward and Bernstein "crossed the line" with Nixon? Furthermore, this report underscores the need for quality, investigative journalism that newspapers provide.

PS: In today's economy, this scrutiny would not discourage anyone from accepting a government job with a 6 figure salary.

I've taken a while to chime into this mess, but I've yet to see anyone express what generally comes to my mind - I don't see how this affects my kids and as such I don't see why should I care.

If you work on North Ave., please don't take this personally - I've got no idea how the vast majority of bureaucrats on North Ave. help my kids and their education. I understand at a school level how things work, but go above that in the management structure and I've got no idea. Why should I? Generally, when I've gone to or called North Ave. (with some notable exceptions that I won't share in this forum) I've felt like I have been sucked into my image of Soviet era politburo. You could wander aimlessly for days and never see a smile or hear anything but snarky comments. So you want me to be outraged about adding in one overpaid bureaucrat who's function I don't understand while at the same time letting go vast quantities of equally obscure underpaid bureaucrats? Sorry, I'm not sure I see it as a net loss. If you want outraged citizens do something that I can see has an effect on my kids' education. This just seems like more obscure political wrangling to me. I've got no real idea of what it means.

The one thing that sounds promising to me is that it makes people like Jimmy Gittings and I&EP really annoyed. Oh, and on that note - if not understanding all the politics on North Ave. makes me a lightweight I'll save you the trouble of writing that in a comment - I'm a lightweight.

Back Again -
@ the More - usual underestimating of the parents. AAA has had more meeting with parents and community members than any other CEO that I can remember. Has introduction tour was a thing of genius because parents felt they could get to him and they did.... Teacher accountability.. ask those that were let go for not taking the timely steps in getting their certification.. promise made, promise keep.. and materials et al ... you never had them, move on. This man has had to cut $100million in the last two years and cut overhead (support) cost to the bone.

@ On Top - NOT HARDLY---- City Schools have not been part of city government since 1997 so this is not a GOVERNMENT job. And some of these offenses predate his time on the Board. If the then Gov and Mayor did not seem to think it mattered why should we.
There is so much concern about how this will affect his ability to do whatever this job entails...In his six years on the Board can anyone find one instance of malfeasance on his or the Boards part. They managed three deficients and went after those who had been gaming the system for years. Under his tenure, the Board has probably recovered more than he is being paid. Even in GOVERNMENT jobs they call that OJT...

What a great story - a man with no relevant education and many financial problems gets a job with the baltimore city board of education for $175,000 a year. I have a masters in education. Will you hire me for double that amount since I am qualified? Throw the bum out and Alonso too!!!!!

Smoke and mirrors, the master magician again manages to focus attention away from critical issues: substantive curriculum, delivery of high quality instruction, safe, secure and nurturing environment and legitimate support for faltering schools. Not much more than incremental improvement has been touted through ridiculous laudatory press releases which much of the public buys again and again. Any improvement is likely attributable to the frequent observation that recent MSDE assessments appear to be far less rigorous than those of the past. “Highly qualified” school staff reviewed and approved untold numbers of bridge projects in lieu of earning passing HSA scores. How many of those reviewers were influenced by City Schools then interim COS’s crudely delivered message to “get” these kids graduated? Our persistent overseers, MSDE monitored HSA intervention at the schools; they did not participate in the actual bridge project reviews or the astounding review “pass” rates. Improved Special Education status is due far more to political and economic realities and far less to the CEO. We have been led down the proverbial garden path by AAA and this Board charged with the oversight of our children’s education and future. Words “transparency” and “accountability” are tossed around when convenient; there is no fidelity to the meaning of either term.

Should we doubt Morris is being repaid by politicians and AAA for his public relations hand-holding along with shepherding few sensible notions to board approval? BM has demonstrated extraordinary influence over this board and will now continue to do so… On the economic (down) side, real estate development in Baltimore City is practically on life-support, former entrepreneurial developers like Struever and others are facing serious red ink—there is no longer significant need for a middle man. Perhaps BM, with City Schools stimulus funds will “help out” former benefactors, creditors, family members and friends. (any on the current payroll?)

As in past regimes, doubt we will ever know the depth of insidious corruption that has occurred and will continue under the current City Schools leadership. Similar to a petulant child, its likely AAA stamps his feet, throws a tantrum and with that half- smile, half-snarl threatens to leave us poor inept city folks on our own if the Board even hints at the possibility of not approving or questioning his proposals. Our children, teachers, and administrators on the front line deserve so much better than the fired, removed, brown-nosing, belligerent and unelectable brain-trust approved by the Board thus far, Edwards, Feldman, Shaw, Lewis, McLaurin, Brice and Sarbanes. Can it be long before the awe struck Sara Neufeld joins AAA’s team to “spin” BM’s appointment into a positive?

Let’s not doubt for a moment AAA was not fully aware of BM’s financial background, ultimately though, AAA won’t care if he stays or goes as long as people buy the “I asked, he wasn’t forthcoming” line of defense. Just a bump in the road “for the most intelligent, cunning, manipulative man in room”.

@More things change-you are right on! Nothing has changed. Those of us who do a good job are still doing it. Those who don't,arents. Supplies and resources are a scarcity.I'm still spending lots of my own paycheck. And yet,contrary to @Over the Top, I know lots of good gteachers who do approve of AAA. What we see, however,is a focus on facilities,North Avenue, all the management stuff and not on instruction and things that directly affect the kids AAA is so worried about. I worry about Brian and his work history and salary becasue I need more for the kids in my room! I also want City Schools to have some consistent ,long term credibility.

Well, "a parent," here are some insights on North Avenue and the potential of a central office. An effective central office can provide schools with materials, and guidance they need to run effective programs for kids. It can efficiently procure and allocate resources that end up on classrooms. It can design structures and programs that ensure the school system runs efficiently. It can ensure that schools and the system as a whole follow state and federal regulations so the system is not distracted by litigation and cour orders.

Unfortunately, it can't do any of those things if it doesn't have effective, competent, honest and experienced people working there. And just when this city's stakeholders started to believe they had founded someone who would bring these things to our children, that person slaps us all in the face with an action that has proven he's no different than all the rest. . .

@OverTheTop

Teachers dislike Alonso because he isn't paying attention to what's going on inside classrooms. I for one would love it if he came to my classroom and held me accountable. His presence might get the kids to sit down in their chairs. To have an annual increase in test scores? At the risk of sounding like an unreliable anonymous informant, I should say that the test scores in this city are completely unreliable. The cheating is systematic and overtly rationalized. People working in the schools feel that the public wants results without giving them what they need. Resource periods, for example, have been all but eradicated from many of the new K-8 schools (PE, art, music) and maybe high schools (I don't know as much about them). Take 25 kids for 90 minutes at a time and even try to teach to the test obliquely (i.e. by coming up with creative ways to address academic objectives). Don't worry--you'll get a forty-five minute planning period four days a week and half an hour for lunch. That is, if you can get the kids out of your classroom. Interestingly, I can't keep them out of my room but I can't get them to sit down. And at the end of the day? We have to flush the kids out of the building. Yes, they hide. Today, the last day of the year, we literally dragged our most disturbed student out of the building. But don't worry, OverTheTop. I taught him how to take the MSA until he was off the premises.

Stop talking about teachers as if they're coaches for professional sports teams. The analogy is so pathetic and pathetically reflective of this country's true priorities. Clowns like Alonso and Morris exploit this.

@ a parent

You raise some interesting questions, and I think you're comically dead on when you say that calling North Avenue is like dealing with a Soviet politburo. Let me say that I'm not sure that there is a real dichotomy between classroom needs and North Avenue needs. You feel that this whole Morris episode is unworthy of your attention, but it's people like Morris in sinecures like his that create your understandable frustration towards bureaucracies like North Avenue. When he is given power over other people, they will take on all his characteristics in order to protect their jobs. My principal, for instance, can't go to the bathroom without getting the go-ahead from Alonso. And Alonso can't go to the bathroom without feeling that Arne Duncan will like how many times Alonso has used the phrases "great kids" and "personal accountability" in a sentence. This kind of thing is very much in effect when you listen to North Avenue's elevator music. In North Avenue itself there is a school called The Success Academy. The teachers who work there are admirably determined to get the students to take themselves seriously as students or just plain adults, and it's just not working. This is all literally taking place under Alonso's feet, but he doesn't care because he doesn't seem to have to. Alonso's use of language and his conduct amount to the political equivalent of elevator music.

OverTheTop--If city schools are not part of the city government, who does Mr. Morris serve? This is simply a technicality. More importantly, how does this reporting "cross the line?" It's 2009, do you expect citizens to behave as if we live in the North Korea?

As a retired BCPSS employee, still very interested and concerned about our students, I can say that the situation has gotten worse as each year passes. Back in the 70's, we all believed that things would improve ( especially in light of 94-142 Special Education Law) and every year, new problems arose, less money was available and class size got larger. I think there was even more corruption at that time. I was told I could order materials for my program, and when they didn't arrive three years in a row, I traced the paperwork and discovered that the orders never left the building, but the $$ was used for other things..like curtains in someone's office. It is disappointing that the new CEO is so rough to the very people he should be courting and providing for. He acts like his teaches and administrators are sub par. He should be cheerleading for the folks in the trenches, instead of gloating with his 'off with their heads' policies.

1. Baltimore City Public Schools is a public system. Sorry if that is redundant, but people who are saying it's not "government" are just plain wrong. It is a public agency, funded by taxpayer dollars. And in fact it is run by the city and the state. The Board members who run the system are appointed by GOVERNMNENT agencies. The budget is reviewed by GOVERNMENTS. Please stop claiming otherwise. You are factually incorrect.

2. OverTheTop, I think you're wrong about your racial percentages. Cabinet is much more than 50% African-American. That being said, the comments about "being black and Democrat" someone posted above are ignorant at best. The last time I checked, black Democrats are among Alonso's biggest critics as well.

If you're going to criticize the appointment, do it because of the process. Or even because of the man. But not because of the skin color.

3. Can we stop using blanket statements like "Teachers don't like Alonso."? I know a lot of teachers who love him.

The BTU doesn't like Alonso. But they didn't get a raise this year. Why would they like him?

Go find a teacher that you respect. Make them pick between Alonso or their union president. I'll take Alonso. You take the unions. I'll win at least 8 times out of 10.

4. Is this really over? I thought there would be a bigger Sun story this morning with more news. Or are we waiting for Sunday?

I see that Brian Morris has resigned. He did the right thing. Now we can do a search, hire the best candidate and move on.

In the paper this morning (6/13) City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said Morris' financial troubles should have no bearing on his appointment to this position. She states Morris could still be effective in his new position. She also questioned whether Morris' financial issues became an issue only because he is African-American. Why is this always brought up when there's problems. His financial record speaks for itself and what kind of an impression does this leave on young people-its okay to do bad things - good things will come your way anyway. I can't believe an adult would actually speak like this, especially someone in her position. She also says we are living in a city where a brown person can't get fair treatment. What kind of crap is that-anyone who applies for a "top-level" position knows their credentials and background are questioned. It doesn't have to be a top level position to have a background check, credentials questioned-anyone knows that after accepting a job. I'm sure a lot of people have NOT been hired for certain positions because of something in their background and why should Morris be any different.

@Hamilton Parent (re#4) -
I'm guessing the mayor vs City Council fight is bigger news - easier to understand politics - council fights for rec centers and pools against the mayor who's looking to trim the budget. The school board fight is insider politics and general corruption while the schools are doing better as far as the same media, mayor and governor are concerned. Seems obvious which will swamp the city politics coverage. Plus we all know the sun is cutting back on City School coverage.

I guess it is over now and in the end it still seemed to be much to do over nothing. So now BCPS will send thousands of tax payer dollars to do a nationwide search to find that "right" person. This "expert" will know nothing about Baltimore and the naysayer will complain that the CEO could have found someone already in the system to do the job.

I am still trying to determine if it was BM, AAA or the process that caused such a commotion. This is typical of the pettiness that is so pervasive in Baltimore were we cut off our noses in spite of our faces. This is not a reality show people!!! If AAA is the tyrant that some think, BTU, CUB and PISSIA (sp) beware. In the end only the children lose.

And to all the teachers, ex-teachers and insiders, thanks for your insight.. I pray that one day all of you will be bestowed with the courage to do what is right. If things are a bad as you say and the public is being sold a defective bill of goods, it is your duty to pull back the curtains and let everyone know just what is going on. It is time that we to truly put the children first and stop looking out for our own prosperity. ... Oh excuse me, I forgot myself, this IS Baltimore.

@Hamilton Parent

No literate teacher would chose Alonso over the BTU, and that has nothing to do with the BTU not getting a raise this year. No teacher in this city is more concerned with money than with his/her students. It's just that we don't abuse language the way Alonso does. You don't think the best teachers in this system could walk away whenever they wanted in order to pursue law degrees like Alonso? We keep at it, unlike Alonso, because we're teachers. He worked for a few years in special education so that nobody would ever question his educational credibility. What a safety net that kind of teaching gives you! He worked with kids society can safely call irrevocably challenged. This is not to say there is no honor in teaching special education. What Alonso doesn't understand is how awfully chaotic the regular education classrooms are in this city, especially the middle school classrooms. He worked with students whose progress (or lack thereof) would have no reflection on his teaching. What he doesn't understand is that those students shouldn't be tested at all. They should be allowed to do what aerates their souls. Doesn't anyone know that what prevents a lot of the great elementary schools in this city from making AYP is that their special education students aren't passing standardized tests? Are we really going to pretend such a failure belongs to teachers, let alone students? In other words, the public is asking kids with Downs Syndrome to pass standardized tests in order to prove that their teachers are competent. Doesn't this strike anyone as absurd?

@Over the Top-Who do you work for on North Ave? Or are you Alonso himself? As a teacher, we could care less about being held accountable. I have a bachelors, masters and have worked since I was 16. Do you think we become educators because we don't expect to be held accountable like we've been held accountable in every other job we've had in our lives?

The better question is who is holding Alonso accountable? Who is holding parents, school leaders and the community accountable?

What group of people with common sense could honestly look at BCPSS and say he is creating a successful school system? What person creates schools combining grades 6-12? Is Alonso unaware of the danger that poses to students? Better yet why aren't these parents wise enough to see that? Why would you want your twelve year old daughter in the same building with 18 year old boys? Why is he allowing criminals back in the classroom as students. At my school we received at least 10 students from juvenile detention centers. Is that success? One of those kids was arrested in the school for gambling and had over $300 in his pockets. We have had children with weapons, selling drugs in the school and all of them have been returned to the same building because Alonso wants to impress the morons in City Hall with his "numbers".

Alonso thinks he's smarter than the residents of Baltimore City. This includes, parents, teacher, students and other stakeholders. He is doctoring the numbers to make it look like graduation rates are the measure of success. But how many of these students are finding success after leaving BCPSS? How many are attending colleges and universities and graduating from there? Also how many are finding full time work and staying employed for more than one year after leaving BCPSS?

The students Alonso's school system has created are not prepared for the real world of work. They are not held accountable for their behavior or actions. I want to see how many of these kids Alonso would hire. And when they call him the foul things they call their teachers every day would he keep them on staff like we are required to keep them in our schools and classrooms.

@ Hamilton Parent

If you know a lot of teachers who love Alonso, but you think it's dauntingly hard to find a teacher who deserves your respect, then you don't respect the teachers you know who like Alonso? It's not just that teachers don't like Alonso. Nobody at my school but my principal is foolish enough to even mention his name. At the beginning of last year he was mentioned all the time. But that was before all he ever did was make speeches--a human megaphone of cliche and fashionable words like "transparency." The violence in my school was so commonplace as a result of making my school K-8 (from an elementary school) that my administration can't even get students to respect their presence when they come into the middle school wing of the building. So they don't come by all that often. And why can't they stop kids from fighting? Because Alonso wants attendance numbers up and suspensions down. But at least attendance numbers are reliable. The test scores are not.

ENOUGH!!!! Lets move on. The school year is over and we should all focus on the SY '09-'10. I too am not a fan of all of the policies that come from 'up high' but as a BCPSS teacher, I have seen great improvement since AAA took over. I am sorry that there are schools who lack supplies, teacher positions, etc. but that comes from the individual school budgets. To all of the teacher out there, ask your principals to disclose their upcoming budgets...Yes, there has been a decrease in per pupil allocation but it is up to the principal to decide how to spend the money. Unfortunately there are principals who want more 'perks' (i.e. more support staff, money allocated for pd, etc.) rather then spending it on essentials (copy paper, teacher positions)

I am not condoning the decision made by Dr. Alonso, nor am I condemning it. We have to remember that Mr. Morris was appointed by Mayor O'Malley and Governor Ehrlich. If anything, there should have been a public outcry back then. AAA came into the system with Mr. Morris already in his position, why should he have doubted his financial stability. I mean, if the Mayor and Governor trusted his integrity why shouldn't Dr. Alonso?

Regarding 'nepotism'...How dare Mr. Gittings complain. Take a look at what is going on at North Avenue. Have any of you read the PEP reports from the most recent board meeting? All of the people at North Avenue who are being downsized are being put in other administrative jobs. Yes, I am sure they had to go through the application/ interview process but come on, you can't tell me that there were no teachers who would have been qualified for the 'bump' into administration. Nepotism is alive and well at North Avenue.

Please post the Mayor makes 150,000 a year. Puts alot into perspctive. Baltimore schools are doing better? Take a look at grad rates please. 50%+-. That is successfull?

@Patrice - I wish I did, I am self employed and things are tight. I could use a six figure part time job right about now.

But your entry kinda proves a point. The CEO has not taught one class during his tenure here. So if the students are not meeting standards, is it the CEOs fault or the teachers fault or the parents fault. Its easy to pay the blame game but lives and our future are at stake. Its easy to blame the CEO, like blaming a coach if a team loses a game. Reality is the damage done to the students coming out today predate the current CEO

I have also wondered why parents continue to send their children into battle zones and expect good results. I remember there was a mother would came to a school board meeting last year who refused to she her child to school until some issue was adressed. If more parents/caregivers did that, bad schools would be exposed immediately.

Problem is that to many parents don't know / don't care because they are not being given the "real" story by principals and dare I say, teachers.

@ a Teacher - "In other words, the public is asking kids with Downs Syndrome to pass standardized tests in order to prove that their teachers are competent. Doesn't this strike anyone as absurd?" - Your question should be directed to the ACLU and the MDLC not BCPSS.

@ lancer - well said - Fair Student Funding puts the power to allocate in the hands of the principals and in case some have missed it THERE IS A RECESSION GOING ON!!!

Come on people we can break 100......

@ Over The Top you don't have to dare to say it. You are correct, there is a hush hush rule around BCPSS. I can't tell you how many principals have told staff in meetings keep our dirty laundry to yourself. Reminds me of the "Stop Snitching" video but for professionals. And the new non certified teachers get the worst end of the deal. When they try to speak out their jobs are threatened. If the public really knew how dangerous these schools were they would be shocked. But they don't really want to know or we wouldn't have to beg for parent and community volunteers to help out in our schools.

For the upcoming school year the CEO and community need to create an atmosphere where teachers and principals feel safe to say we have a problem with violence and not fear being reprimanded or fired.

@Lancer Don't blame the principals. As a teacher I am no big fan of most BCPSS principals but think about the situation they have all been placed in. For years they were told how to spend the money. Then all of a sudden this year they had to control a full budget with minimal training. Unless you are an accountant that amount of responsibility should not have been placed fully on their shoulders without proper training over a reasonable time period. It's like me handing the keys to my son and saying "okay drive" I never gave him a lesson just let him watch a video or two. That's how Alonso did these principals. They have to figure out how to pay for EVERYTHING on their budget and that is not an easy task for amateurs.

OK - just to push it to 100...and totally off the original topic of Brian Morris

in response to a Teacher & OTT's last post -

I take issue with the idea that teaching disabled kids (including Downs Syndrome) is absurd and that they should not be passing standardized test.

Special needs students have IEPs that spell out test procedures and modifications that make sense for them. If you have a good IEP team that knows the student and thinks that the MSA or HSA is the right test for this student then the student and their teachers should be judged on the basis of those test results just as in the case of any student taking a standardized test. If, on the other hand, the IEP team thinks that the student should be on a non-diploma track then a more personalized test will be used, but again the student and their teachers should be judged on the basis of those test results.

I might be misinterpreting what you're saying, but it seems like you think that teaching these kids is a lost cause and a waste of your time. If that's true then it will be - the whole self-fulfilling prophesy. If you're hoping to get IDEA rolled back (the only way that the ACLU and MDLC would be in the wrong in the cases that they have won IMHO) I'll respond with the same indignation that someone arguing Brown vs. Board of Education should be rolled back - i.e. Time moves on and attitudes about education for them are out of date and insulting.

@ ryan - two of the highest paid state employees are the basketball and footbal coaches at UoM. They both make multiples of what the Governor is paid ( I did not say earns). It becomes a matter of worth. So the question becomes what would BM have been worth to BCPSS?

The state contributes over $700 million to BCPSS and every year there is a challege to protect if not increase that amount. So if you are paying a lobbyist of sorts 0.025% of the amount that they hired to go after, that would be considered worth it. If he had not been dragged through the mud, his presence could have meant preserving $10 - $20miilion for the system.

About graduation rates - they are abmissal in almost every urban center in this country... so the race may be to be the best of the worst. It may always be this way until the concentration of poverty is addressed.

@ a parent - don't know that much about IDEA to but I wonder if your comparison is off.. Brown was for equality, IDEA seems to asking for special consideration. Not that I am against IDEA just trying to compare apples to apples.

@OTT - seems like a good comparison to me

IDEA = accessibility for all students regardless of disability in all schools
This requires:
• removal of physical barriers (e.g. add wheelchair ramps or give kids assistive technology)
• removal of cultural barriers (e.g. "I don't want my kids educated with those kids")
• accommodation or differentiated education - something which has always been done (e.g. separating kids who talk too much or having a slow reader group apart from a quick reader group) is now formalized
• inclusive education (e.g. adjusting language so everybody in the class can understand or having a visual schedule to help kids with transitioning problems)

Brown v. BOE = accessibility for all students regardless of race in all schools
This requires:
• removal of physical barriers (e.g. bus kids across town or change school district lines)
• removal of cultural barriers (e.g. "I don't want my kids educated with those kids")
• accommodation or differentiated education (e.g. adding ESL classes for kids from non-English speaking backgrounds)
• inclusive education (e.g. having history lessons that include people of color)

@ a parent - OKAY.....

@OverTheTop

Your last post was your best so far on this thread. I think you're right that the Speical Ed absurdity question is not entirely BCPSS's to answer. But Alonso should know how central this question is, and he is the one who is in a position to pose it coherently and powerfully to higher authorities. My school would have made AYP if it weren't for the Special Ed tests, which are all but impossible to cheat on because the sessions have to be videotaped.

And if you're going to make the coach analogy for Alonso, why not also make it for teachers? The situation in the schools is so bad right now that all numbers (attendance, tests) are wholly unreliable. Alonso has scared administrators and teachers constipated to the point of cheating. And some of these people are good, hard-working people. In any case, I think the analogy is inadequate for either category. Alonso is simply too politically self-protective to say what needs to be said. If he only did that, he would be worth his salary. Taxpayers are paying him to say how much he likes kids. His decisions--changing schools to K-8 and to 8-12--are one long game of musical chairs. Besides, the guy's spoken English is atrocious. Granted, he wasn't born in this country. But degrees from Columbia and Harvard would seem to give him a chance to speak less haltingly and with less of an accent than Livan Hernandez. Also, this is a guy who claimed in his system-wide address to teachers two years ago that Leo Tolstoy is his favorite "children's writer." He went on to paraphrase a book that Alonso claimed Tolstoy wrote. It turns out the book was only very broadly based on a Tolstoy story, not a word of which is used in the book Alonso described.

Hey "a teacher":

1. How dare you accuse teachers who like Alonso of being illiterate? That is either a gross exaggeration, or a statement of general ignorance.

I know plenty of teachers who are far more than literate, and who are in fact excellent, who believe in their CEO's visions (faults and all) far more than their union president. My estimation is that 4 out of 5 of my teacher friends feel that way.

Yours is an incredibly closed-minded statement. I know a LOT of BCPSS teachers. And it's not that they're blindly loyal to everything Alonso says. But they believe in his vision, and most of them have no use for their union. To be honest, I think part of that is their fault (and have told them so).

Yes, the union leadership rarely does anything to improve conditions at schools. But if the majority of teachers that don't like their leadership would turn out to vote, they could change leadership. I am a former teacher, and I was ignorant on this issue as well.

2. You stated: "No teacher in this city is more concerned with money than with his/her students."

That is your second ridiculous exaggeration. Yes, the strong majority of teachers care much more about their children than money.

But there are unfortunately some teachers sticking around to increase their retirement number. How do I know this? Because they've actually told me so. And as a former teacher, I loathe the stupid quip: "Those you can't, teach." But there are really bad teachers who don't care and/or are not equipped to teach. As you probably know, a lot of people who are very smart are AWFUL in the classroom.

3. Your views on special education children are offensive. Others have started to address the issue, so I'll leave that be.

If you want to be taken seriously, please don't make statements that are obviously patently false.

You don't know every teacher in the system. Don't speak for them. In re-reading my original post, I recognize that I bordered on doing this as well. I should have written that more carefully. So allow me to try again: My experience - with dozens of teachers - is that most of them prefer their CEO's vision to their union's. About 4 out of 5 of them.

Not sure how that is off topic parent?

I have a very hard time believing he would have saved the city 10-20 million. Please provide me with a list of his accomplishments. Sounds to good to be true.

Let's address good parenting and not so much someones neighborhood. Ben Carson comes to mind. Lazy parenting = unprepared kids. I guess you could always blame teachers maybe the media or race. I really hate how race was brought up in earlier posts.

@ ryan - First acknowledge the fact that in politics and business it is sometimes who you know not what you know.

In one of the articles it was alluded that (before this) BM was a conduit to the Governor's and the Mayor's offices. So he could have been a lobbyist of sorts for the schools system. Think Bruce Bereno(sp). Look at how many ex-public officals are now lobbyists.

Family and community go hand in hand. Both are important and must be considered equally.

Why I believe our school leadership will be successful - like we say to students, "The mistake may be bad, but it's how you handle it that makes the difference":

June 16, 2009
Dear City Schools Partners and Friends,
Last Tuesday, I sent you an email about several appointments that were aimed to solidify the school system’s senior leadership team as we prepare for the next school year. One of these, the appointment of Brian D. Morris as Deputy CEO for Operations, has been the topic of many questions over the past week. Saturday morning, the Board of School Commissioners and I accepted Mr. Morris’ withdrawal of his acceptance of the post.
Every decision I have made since I arrived in Baltimore City has been about the kids and has been informed by an incredible sense of urgency about moving the work forward. The offer of a position to Mr. Morris last week and the acceptance of his withdrawal Saturday were based on these same fundamental convictions. With a central office that is more than 30% smaller than two years ago, there is a critical need for a position to integrate operations in the central office -- human resources, technology, facilities, and finance—in order to support schools. To fill that need, we created a position as a deputy in charge of operations and offered Mr. Morris that position. Mr. Morris’ service on the Board for six years was exemplary: he had shown an extraordinary capacity to understand the workings of the organization, and, as a result of his leadership of several Board committees (including those dealing with finances, facilities and labor relations), he had extensive knowledge of a broad range of school operations. The offer was based on his capacity and knowledge, the urgent need to realign the way a drastically smaller central office does business, and his understanding of the vision of our school reform. I felt strongly that, given that depth of experience and the passion for students he had demonstrated in his leadership of the board, he would be the right person for the position. I own the decision.
I thought that there would be questions about the offer given the fact that the position had not been advertised and because of Mr. Morris’ previous position on the Board. I expected to address these questions by pointing out the urgency of the work, the need for the position and the fact that Mr. Morris could immediately begin to add value. In putting a leadership team in place for the reforms now under way, it has been my practice to move quickly once I have found the right person for the role. In retrospect, considering the nature of the allegations that surfaced, I made a real mistake. Outcomes matter above everything, and here the outcome has been to erode some of the public trust in our school system that is essential to our success on behalf of kids. I take responsibility for rebuilding that trust.
Allegations in news reports about Mr. Morris’ personal business life immediately made it clear to Mr. Morris that his appointment was distracting attention away from where it needs to be – on our kids and schools. He rescinded his acceptance. The allegations that surfaced concerned matters beyond the scope of our normal vetting process for senior positions, which are similar to those of other school systems: in the hiring process we check references, we ask about conflicts of interest, and, once an offer of employment is made, we require that new hires complete a criminal background check. All senior level employees also file an annual personal financial disclosure statement. None of these usual checks would have unearthed the allegations, and we are reviewing these processes to see how they may be strengthened. Meanwhile, the position will be posted and another candidate will be sought.
I regret deeply that the focus has shifted away from our kids and schools, even if for a few days. One of the critical components of the remarkable progress our children and schools have been making is that we have kept the conversation about what’s best for kids, not about the adults. The Board, I, elected officials, and --perhaps most importantly—you, our partners and friends, have played a critical role in keeping that steady focus.
That focus has resulted in exceptional results by our kids and schools, which I will be detailing in an end of year email later this week and of which I am very proud. Enrollment increased for the first time in four decades. Our 1st and 2nd graders passed the national average in reading and math. Our 3rd through 8th graders made record gains in achievement. And our high school students stepped up their performance dramatically on state assessments preparing for graduation.
I have been consistent in my leadership style. Let me say it simply: I cannot possibly slow down and cannot possibly make decisions other than for the good of kids. Given the ground that we still need to travel, the force of the reform now under way is and must remain undiminished. No superintendent is infallible. I will make other mistakes, but I learn from my mistakes.
The bottom line is outcomes for kids. As we prepare for the next school year which begins in just a few months, on August 31, the work needs our full concentration. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our schools and kids.

Sincerely,

Andrés A. Alonso, Ed.D.
CEO, Baltimore City Public Schools

@ Hamilton Teacher

I didn't accuse Alonso of being illiterate. Being illiterate means not being able to read. He is subliterate, which means he can read but shows no interest in reading anything but drafts of his own emails and the state budget.

Now let me say something about this "vision" you are so attached to. Alonso uses this word often and with great vehemence, but it's empty in his hands. It's like George Bush and the phrase "the American people." The hope is that you'll just lay back on the pillow of these polite words and not think too hard about the implicit evasions in these politicians' answers. At the same time, I think it's admirable that you and many of your teacher friends believe in this so-called vision. This tells me you have hope for our city's students. But this hope can be exploited, and Alonso is a good example of how this can be done.

I was of course exaggerating when I said that no teacher cares more about money than his/her students. But what's ridiculous is that you think teachers' greed is central to the education problem. That's the more significant exaggeration. If you're upset about people doing the right think for the wrong reasons, look elsewhere in the system (i.e. Brian Morris and other crooked volunteers). And look at all the education experts, who have PhDs but have never read a novel by Dickens or Faulkner, let alone taught in one of the classrooms they're so busy studying all the time.

I'm afraid my views on special education are pretty detached and more humanist than you might think. Kids who are low-functioning autistic or with Down's Syndrome should not be tested according to convention, let alone be the make-or-break testing factor for my school making AYP. It's offensive that you think these kids shouldn't be given special considerations. Every day at lunch the cafeteria is so chaotic and loud that the kids with special needs invariably break into tears and wail for the entire period. If I had to have lunch in such a room, I would be crying too. The kids with special needs are beacons of our schools' common sense needs.

I too loath the saying: "Those who can't, teach." (You wrote, " Those you can't, teach" but I'll go out on a limb and assume you go along with what I wrote.) I would like to adapt your hated phrase to read: those who can't teach teach teachers. Let's not pretend that a lot of smart people aren't doing well in the classroom for purely academic reasons. In many classrooms across the country (under NCLB), kids with special needs have been moved into regular classrooms in order to receive "a great education" (Alonso's reasoning). I can't address their specific needs unless I have them one-on-one. The whole inclusion theory (putting all the kids in the same room) is really just smoke and mirrors for the fact that our schools aren't getting enough money to have separate classrooms in the first place.

@Hamilton Parent

I just saw the post of mine you were referring to in your first point. Let me bring this to clarity. The "illiterate/subliterate" distinction is to be applied to teachers who (I said) like Alonso because they're illiterate. That was another exaggeration--"subliterate" is again the best albeit perhaps too obscure word. If more teachers read books over the summer, they wouldn't be so easily taken advantage of by places like the Johns Hopkins School of Education, which is so full of pseudo-intellectualism that the school should be shut down. I hear Alonso knows how to do such things.

@Overthetop---Business and politics have no place in the educational system. I do not have to accept it and neither do the childeren of Baltimore. Especially one that is such a poor performer and plagued with bloodsuckers. All about the love. If you have a passion you will do a great job. Otherwise it's about a paycheck.

@ryan - Educational is a multi-billion dollar business in Maryland alone and politics cannot be avoided. Its not for you to accept, it is. If you lose sight of this, the system will wear you down and run you over.

Thanks for clarifying, "a teacher".

To be clear, believing in someone's vision doesn't mean believing in him all of the time. I like the decentralization. I like that North Ave is almost 1/3 lighter. I like the autonomy he gives schools.

Also, to clarify another point, I don't think teacher greed is central to the school system's challenges. I don't believe most teachers are greedy. And many are underpaid. But I do believe that their union's leadership focuses on pay increases to a fault. That's what I was referencing.

I can't tell you the number of teachers I know (or have worked with) that are incredibly disappointed when they go to their union leadership when they are being mistreated by administration, or have no heat in their classrooms, or don't have a secure classroom. What they get is no support. A rep comes out, makes some noise, and nothing happens. And that's if they even get their phone call returned.

On special ed, all of the kids I've seen/worked with in schools with down syndrome or other severe disabilities do get testing accommodations. They take the Alt-MSA, I think it's called. They also aren't generally diploma-track in high school. So they don't take HSAs. They get certificates instead. If that's not taking place in your school, I'd e-mail the head of special ed. Because it is unfair to teachers, and more importantly, to kids.

@Overthetop--So are city schools part of the government? What is the role of newspapers? You've never answered these questions.

@Hamilton Parent

It's very interesting, what you say about the union. I've been lucky enough not to have gone through the disappointment you describe. On a related note, I've heard that many teachers believe they can't strike. And that's patently untrue if they are members of a union. A union is definitively not a union if it cannot go on strike. Perhaps teachers should go on strike for better safety in classrooms rather than for more pay. I'd be all for it.

As for special ed, I didn't know how it worked in high schools until you told me. At the middle school I work at they too take the alt-MSA, but it counts just as much as the regular MSA counts towards our school's state performance.

@ On Top -

1) In April 1997, the state legislature passed Senate Bill 795, dictating broad reforms of the way Baltimore City Public Schools was managed. Before this bill was passed BCPSS was a under the direct control of the Mayor and the City Council. Under the bill, a nine-member Board of School Commissioners is jointly appointed by the governor and the mayor, a partnership (?). The Boards job is manage the financial aspects of the system and to hire/fire a CEO. The city-state partnership made the schools CEO accountable to only the Board and the state legislature.

In practice, the city and state governments detached themselves from BCPSS and except around time of controversy and elections have pretty much left it alone. You can see evidence of this weak interaction in the recent finger pointing between the Gov, the Mayor and MSDE on who has responsibility for vetting Commissioners.

So my assertion is that if you consider government as a formal structure that is under the control of a single elected entity, BCPSS does not fit the bill.

2) The role of any new agency is to be fair and balanced. When it panders to the sensational, it does no one any good because it brings out the worst in some people.

@a teacher:

You should review your contract to the end. See Article XXI (as I believe it has been reauthorized in upcoming contracts as well):

"21.1 No Strikes

A. An employee organization may not call or direct a strike.

B. Any employee organization designated as an exclusive representative that violates any
provision of this Article shall have its designation as exclusive representative revoked by the public school employer and the employee organization and any other employee organization
that violates any provision of this section is ineligible to be designated as exclusive
representative for a period of two (2) years after the violation.

C. If an employee organization violates any provision of this section, the public school
employer shall stop making payroll deductions for dues of the organization for one (1) year
after the violation."

21.1says that the union cannot call a strike without losing it's ability to represent teachers and collect dues for a period of time. It doesn't say that teachers can't strike. COMAR, however does. There were some lengthy teachers' strikes in the 1970s in Maryland before COMAR was amended.

OvertheTop--It's apparent you won't change your opinion. So has the media been unfair to Mr. Morris? If not, was the media fair to former Senator Tom Dachle? How about nominees for the Supreme Court? According to your logic, the media shouldn't look into their past because it will discourage qualified people from applying. I would imagine that there are a lot of qualifed people who would be interested in cabinet and supreme court positions.

@Patrice- Sorry I am a few days late on this...The Principals are not, and should not be considered amatures regarding thier school budgets. I know that there has been extensive training on the new system that has been put in place (I am not a principal but have sat in on many of those meetings!). One of the main issues regarding the FSF is that Prinicpals don't want to put in the extra time or effort to spend thier money. Yes, there is a recession going on and yes per pupil allocation has been cut but principals are taught (if they have there Ed. Admin. Degree) the importance of balancing a budget and juggling funds.
I apologize for getting off topic, but in reality this all goes hand in hand with BM issue. He had a hand in pushing FSF through and had the vision and forsight that BCPSS needed.

@ Bill

It's amusing to me that you think such penalties would be enforced if all teachers in Baltimore City went on strike. Do you have any idea how desperate our schools are for teachers? And even if such penalties were enforced, why would anyone want to pay to be in a union that can't strike anyway? Go ahead. Stop taking dues out of my paycheck.

@ On Top Of - If the media investigations of anyone applying or nominated for a job is strictly based on past job performance then it is fair.
When it crosses the line into who slept with who, it because useless babble. That is all any fair minded person should ask.

I would imagine that the three ladies identified as new commissioner candidates must be concerned about the increased levels of scrutiny they will be given.

OverTheTop--I don't recall the media inquiring into Mr. Morris' personal life--in the manner which you describe. However, his tax and financial problems are fair game. Aren't you aware of problems President Obama had with certain nominees for cabinet positions? In the grand scheme of things, this is small beans compared to the scrutiny Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor will endure. But then again, it's all fair--tell me one one prominent person who would be discouraged from serving on the court because of the scrutiny, other than an elected judge.

@ On Top -

A point that I think is being missed... BM had more power and authority as Chair then he would have had as deputy CEO. So if the Sun uncovered any prior bad acts in his performance as Chair, IMO that would be relevant.

Your comparison to the scrutiny Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor will have to endure is a good example. The first questions were about her about her prior legal decisions and how she performed as a judge. It is now that nothing real could be found that we get into the silly stuff. This, to me, makes my point. Prior job performance is what should given the most scrutiny. Where is the balance of reporting how BM performed as Chair. Most of the comments I have seen have been positive. That is part of being a true professional, being able to keep work and home separate.

And many of the "problems" that were cited were business "problems" which are inherent with many small and growing businesses. Look at what is happening to the Ritz project downtown and to Struver Bros. These are all good businesses and people whose plans did not turn out as predicted. Does that now mean that the principles in these companies will forever be excluded from public service?

I have gone through it and found it very interesting. Really nice article , and after reading this i am force to think a lot about it. Really nice informative post ..

I would like to RSVP for Thursday December 23,2010 for Parents and Community Advisory Board (PCAB)