“The right structure does not guarantee results, but the wrong structure aborts results and smothers even the best-directed efforts.” So says Peter Drucker.

Frederick County Board of Education rejects $138 million dollar return. Will that be the headline in The Frederick News-Post, or will our current education leaders have the courage and fortitude to do what is right for the students, staff and our over-taxed neighbors here in Frederick County?

I finally understand what President Barack Obama meant when he said he planned on “fundamentally transforming” the United States of America. Instead of a limited government with limited powers delegating the majority of authority to the states, he wants to transform the United States into the United Departments of Social Service (foreign and domestic).

Heart strings, shoe strings and purse strings, what do they have in common? They are the instructions on how to get the community to request more money on behalf of Frederick County Public Schools.

Factoid. Do you know what that is? If you’re a Frederick County Public Schools parent, and you sign up for the Find Out First e-mails, I’ll bet you're tired of seeing them?

With all the sadness around us lately, I wasn’t sure what to write about just before Christmas. Is it wrong to rejoice in the happiness of our lives while others are suffering so much tragedy?

How blessed we are to be in America, one of the most giving nations in the world. Not only do we give daily, but we even have a “season of giving.”

Song of Solomon. If you don’t know that’s the title of a controversial Frederick County Public Schools book for required reading, you need to get out more.

I disagree that American conservatism is dead or dying. I wholeheartedly disagree that the “makers” of the country have been overwhelmed in number by the “takers.” I do not see it that way; and I don’t think the recent election was an indication that that is the new reality.

It’s tough to get a decent crowd of people to a local debate. Let’s face it; it's hard to compete with the San Francisco Giants vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, the last presidential debate and the thing that almost kept me home, The Voice.

Marc Tucker’s vision of the American education isn’t American at all; it’s a German model of dual education.

Beginning today Frederick County Public Schools will be hosting a series of education nights to familiarize parents with The Common Core Standards.

Less than a day after Fox News breaks the story that the Obama Administration knew 24 hours after the attack that it was terrorism, the main stream media ignores the importance of this fact.

With the recent events in the news, my TheTentacle.com column has morphed several times. Originally this was going to be about the importance of the local Board of Education race.

Bibbity, bobbity, boo while a spoon full of sugar helps Jack Sprat, who eats no fat and whose dish ran away with a spoon.

I admit I’m disheartened by Superintendent Dr. Theresa Alban’s presentation of the Frederick County Board of Education’s decision regarding the appeal of Social Studies Alive.

Because of his recent comment on Facebook: "Poor Jill, poor Gary P., poor Cindy, nobody pays any attention to their gibberish. Yawn, Yawn," Tom Shade should remove himself as a candidate for the Frederick County Board of Education.

After having read – and briefly participated in – the heated discussion about Democrats not being allowed in Republican tents and Republican’s defacing free Congressman Chris VanHollen fans, all I can say is, really?

If you’re anything like me, you’re angry over the Supreme Court’s healthcare ruling; and it has nothing to do with insurance. I’m concerned for my children.

A little light reading over the past week had me wondering what the heck’s wrong with Nanny Bloomberg, the mayor of New York. Doesn’t he have bigger fish to fry?

If you want to see the future of Frederick County Public Schools regarding teacher compensation, all you need to do is look north to Pennsylvania.

I ran for the Board of Education because I felt students and parents had little representation. We are down to April Miller, Brad Young and Jimmy Reeder. Even with those three, I still have concerns; we need a fourth to protect parents and students.

After reading Margarita Raycheva’s excellent article in The Gazette (May 2, 2012) about the woman who just received an interest free home through Habitat for Humanity I’m left puzzling over what we now consider “needy” and “poor”.

Technology in the classroom; is it the solution, the crutch or the nail in the coffin of the public education system as we know it?

The trouble with an elected board of education is that only a select few have any idea for whom they are voting, and they are easily swayed by a red apple. I don't blame the public. I blame the way the apple is presented as the teacher's choice.

I’m all for free speech and objectionable song lyrics because we are do not have to purchase the CDs and we can turn the radio off when these songs come on.

Frederick County’s January 2012 unemployment numbers won't be ready until mid-March, but the national unemployment numbers are lower than last week. The stock market is up, but so is gasoline. None of this is indicating all is right in our little corner of the world.

When former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney made the unrehearsed comment that he wasn’t worried about the poor, did anyone really think that’s exactly what he meant?

Before we get all warm and fuzzy over Education Week reporting Maryland is ranked the #1 school in the nation, take a closer look at the list of criteria to get that #1 ranking.

If you care about education then the next president of the United States should be…...... I have no idea. Maybe Alyson Klein, of Education Week, might shed some light on the Republican candidates.

I really have been disillusioned by the cavalier attitudes regarding Brad Young's broken promise to Donna Crook. Everyone keeps yammering on about how the position is no big deal, yet Brad seems determined to retain his presidency.

With atheists, agnostics and other such unaffiliated groups coming out of the woodwork to chip away at Christian American culture and custom, it’s time to look at some statistics on the religious makeup of the United States.

If you're anything like me, this is the time of year you take a minute to recall the holidays of your youth. I remember our Christmas tree falling on my sister while she continued to unwrap her presents.

My friend and colleague, Steve Berryman penned a recent piece in The Frederick News Post entitled "Occupy the Lazy Boy." Frankly, I'd like these protesters to Occupy Reality, a Job, a Shower, some Dignity and most of all their own Homes.

Put your left foot in if you’ve heard the phrase “global society.” Put your right foot out if you’ve heard the phrase “education that is multicultural.” Congratulations you’re doing Frederick County Public Schools’ Education Hokey Pokey because that’s what education is all about now.