I did a little fact finding on the subjects mentioned. I feel
some of these posters, especially a few who reply, display the
typical NoVA "sarcastic, holier than thou, I'm better than you"
attitudes (who also need to work on their typing skills), so let
me take a different approach.

The new report cards are more detailed in reporting facts that
tell more of how Loudoun's children are performing. Yes, there
are a few "bugs," but it's nice that we have the freedom to do
them at home. I am sure that the glitches will be worked out,
but I like the new system, and am glad that Loudoun found such a
decent, workable system.

I am not sure about the administrators going to Chicago, so I
won't comment there. I do know that the administrators didn't
get a pay raise, because it was posted in the local newspaper.
Hopefully, this economic situation will get better, but from
what I hear, next year may be a little rough.

I have seen the new eating area at the admin building, and it is
really nice - nothing big - but handy! It's also great that
those who work there can enjoy the convenience of not having to
go elsewhere to eat. I wonder what the hours are, because I
would like to check it out!

Perhaps your nephew is a little overwhelmed with the new report
cards, plus the report card time in general. I bet he is a new
hire. When you posted your name as "Heard through the
grapevine," you were going basically on hearsay, so I don't
blame you for your not understanding or getting the full
details. As you have read, there is a lot of "Loudoun-bashing,"
but everyone has his/her own opinions. I only wish that some of
these people can see what it is like here, first hand!

Finally, not everyone in Loudoun is as sarcastic as some of the
posters/replies are. There are many of us who are polite and
professional, and try to explain that Loudoun is a really nice
place to work, yet has the same demands as other counties. I
wish you well in whatever county you may teach in, unlike some
people. Have a great school year, and please feel free to post
whatever you wish.

On 11/01/09, Blackout wrote:
> On 11/01/09, Heard through the grapevine! wrote:
>> So, would anyone like to comment on Loudoun's new
>> elementary report cards? I teach in another county, but I
>> get the latest from my nephew. He said that they seem to be
>> more work and more involved than the last ones.
>>
>> I would really like to know how Loudoun does it with the
>> funding. We're in an economic recession, yet they can spend
>> a lot of money on a new report card system, sending
>> principals to Chicago, and a new cafeteria at central
>> admin. There was talk of admin also getting pay raises
>> while teachers had a freeze, and some almost got "RIFd."
>> Sounds like mixed up priorities...glad I'm in another
>> county.
>
> Wow the Urban Legends continue on this chat board! Maybe,
> just maybe you should get a few facts before you post
> something that is blatantly untrue.
>
> The new report cards were instituted because the old report
> card application was 5 years beyond its life span and needed
> to be replaced. Had it not been replaced teachers would have
> had to go back to writing their report cards by hand. The
> change was planned over a period of two years.
>
> In regard to the other Urban Legends, No administrator got a
> pay raise unless they were promoted to higher administrative
> position. Their salaries were frozen just like everyone
> else. And who exactly are the “100 administrators” who went
> to Chicago this summer on a charter train no less? As for
> the mythical administrator cafeteria you speak of, that is
> nothing more then a small kitchen in which food services, yes
> the same food services that produces school lunches, prepares
> sandwiches, soup and salads in which they charge market value.
> This enables people to work at their desk. The whole
> operation is self funded and doesn’t cost the taxpayer a
> penny.
>
> As you seem to one who plays hard and fast with the facts, I
> too am glad you are in another county.

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one