Fairness In School Sports

Mr. Storck

In review of the FCPS Bond Referendum it indicates that you are going to spend $12,500.000 on 42 more portable classrooms. Since you refuse to manage the problem and reduce the number of portable classrooms like the Montgomery school system is doing, I suggest the following:

The Montgomery school system is going to reduce over the next five years 200 portable classrooms, therefore why not save money and buy these used units from them, since you only want to increase your total number of portable classrooms anyway.  1,000 units and counting.

You could use the savings to pay down your debt?

One more suggestion, instead of moving ahead with phase two of the new administrative building, why not use portable trailers instead and save a ton of money that could be used to build five or six schools.

Real concerns and Real issues that must be addressed by FCPS.

Advocate For The Kids,

Mike Grasso

My primary objection to FCPS was the way Jack Dale and The School Board handled the issue of testing the ESL students.  I have seen the drop out rates for Hispanics, I have seen the achievement gaps between Whites and Hispanics.  I have seen the suspension/expulsion statistics for minorities.  This school system has a long way to go in creating an equitable education for these students.  Choosing to defy The DOE on the testing issue was a huge mistake.  I listened to the SB meeting arguments on the topic.  All but one SB member supported Dale’s decision with little or no debate on the topic.  This argument that these students are traumatized by the testing is dishonest and frankly absurd.  They are traumatized with teen pregnancies and dropping out of high school.  They are traumatized when they continue to lag these students by 30 and 40 percentage points on testing.

This school system has a history of putting lipstick on a pig.  I am tired of the grandstanding and misleading statements. I am following the progress being made in NYC schools.  Their attitude towards education is admirable.  Mayor Bloomberg and Joel Klein don’t stand up on a podium and brag about how great their schools are at every opportunity.  Instead, they are constantly stating what needs to be done and where the failures are.  They are committed to creating a school system where EVERYONE participates and succeeds. We cannot continue to embrace a philosophy of “we are doing all we can”.

I have read the Minority Achievement Reports in the past few years.  Prior to this year, these reports stated the areas of weakness and talked about the areas where FCPS needs to make changes.  This year’s report pointed the finger at the parents.  This attitude will get us nowhere in improving education for the minorities of this school system.  This School Board, unfortunately does not have the racial diversity that sometimes is required to advocate for these kids.  Someone needs to fill that void.

My opinion,

Mike Grasso

It seems odd to me that one of the largest school system in the nation does not have  a data base that can give managers instant information on the following;

Background checks completed on every coach who comes in contact with student/players

VHSL and FCPS coaches training completed by all coaches

Mike Grasso

It seems odd to me that one of the largest school system in the nation does not have  a data base that can give managers instant information on the following;

Background checks completed on every coach who comes in contact with student/players

VHSL and FCPS coaches training completed by all coaches

Mike Grasso

I have two grand children in FCPS, that is my interest when it comes to non FISS issues. Regarding your question on surfaces, it could be any surface that could transmit MRSA from one student to another.

For example, I was watching the FOOTBALL game of the week between WSHS and SCSS during a time out by SCSS their trainer ran on to the field with one water bottle and one towel. The towel was passed from one player to several other players in order to wipe their faces. I see this as a potential problem. Do you and should their coaches/trainers also see this as a problem?

Why do I ask questions and seek answers? I would like to see FCPS be more proactive in order to prevent problems, rather then fight forest fires as they happen.

Sad to say that the last two years of trying to correct player abuse, conflicts of interest, ethics and conduct violations and improve player/student safety with FCPS has been frustrating to say the least. Letters, emails, witnesses, meeting and presentations to the school board have not improved the overall program for FCPS students. Therefore we have little faith in FCPS.

Why after two years have you responded to our/my issues?

Mike Grasso 

I have two grand children in FCPS, that is my interest when it comes to non FISS issues. Regarding your question on surfaces, it could be any surface that could transmit MRSA from one student to another.

For example, I was watching the FOOTBALL game of the week between WSHS and SCSS during a time out by SCSS their trainer ran on to the field with one water bottle and one towel. The towel was passed from one player to several other players in order to wipe their faces. I see this as a potential problem. Do you and should their coaches/trainers also see this as a problem?

Why do I ask questions and seek answers? I would like to see FCPS be more proactive in order to prevent problems, rather then fight forest fires as they happen.

Sad to say that the last two years of trying to correct player abuse, conflicts of interest, ethics and conduct violations and improve player/student safety with FCPS has been frustrating to say the least. Letters, emails, witnesses, meeting and presentations to the school board have not improved the overall program for FCPS students. Therefore we have little faith in FCPS.

Why after two years have you responded to our/my issues?

Mike Grasso 

Thank you for your response.

After reading about MRSA I have the following questions;

Are all surfaces sanitizes with the EPA recommended solution after each students contaminates these surfaces?

Who does the sanitizing of these surfaces?

How long does it take?

How many people do the work and have they been trained?

Please provide me a list of the surfaces that are sanitizes? Such as, floor mats, weight room benches, shared equipment, tables,etc.

What insurance do you have that students and staff are washing their hands?

Mike Grasso

PS My experience is 33 years with the Food Safety Inspection Service with responsibility for sanitation of the buildings and the Federal Inspected meat and poultry products produced in these plants. 

Please provide me with you detailed plans.

As you know this is a very serious problem and FCPS needs to do whatever is necessary to protect their/our students.

Mike Grasso