New school board rebuffs Weast railroad attempt

The Board of Education has derailed Superintendent Jerry Weast's attempt to railroad through a controversial and complicated set of reforms for MCPS middle schools. Wise to the superintendent's ways, the new school board majority decided to postpone a vote until February 13 after they, as well as PTA leaders, realized they didn't know what they were being asked to approve.

"We do not think moving ahead before all stakeholders, including board members, have had adequate time to evaluate the report enhances our partnership," Jane de Winter, president of the county council of PTAs, told the board, according to the Gazette.

"Board member Christopher S. Barclay (Dist. 4) of Takoma Park agreed, also asking for more time to consider the companion policy. 'My concern is one, we’re getting this policy and the reform report, pretty much, with a few days to look at it.'"

Meanwhile, momentum is building to convince the school board that Weast has abused his power and lost the public trust, and that he should be replaced as soon as his $350,000+ annual contract expires.