Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1956-03-01
McKINSEY REPORT

Even those who expected the worst were shocked by
the Mcknsey Report massive criticism of the Montgo-
cry County school system. McKnsey Company manage
ment consultants, wrote the critical report after three
month survey that cost the county $4,000 Some are hail
ing the $4,000 the best investment the county made
Others think the money wasted The explosion dying
but the reverbatons will resound for long, long time
In judging the worth of the McKinsey Report we must
in all fairness to the administrators of the school system
ascertain the reports validity McKnsey Company makes
surveys all the time usually for private companies but fire.
quenty for governmental establishments There appears
be no reason for McKnsey to either bear down soft
pedal criticism.
On the other hand some have questioned the depth OF
the McKinsey Investigations For example after crtcising
the county attorneys office for it's handling of School Board
legal problems and recommending retention of School
Board attorney the surveyors admitted they had not inter-
viewed anyone in the county attorneys office.
Others have questioned the entire philosophy of McKn
sey Company One told this paper he thought the
report sociaisc because it recommended that the
school system take certain duties performed by
private industry This is serious charge but County
Council members have wondered aloud about the increased
number of school system employees necessary to implement
the McKnsey recommendations.
The first official reort to the McKnsey criticisms
from School Finance Officer Brian Benson It's obvious that
Benson and McKinsey can't both be right.
But barring proof to the contrary, believe the McKn
Report objective analysis of school system that
just has not kept up with mushroomng county The report
will be of value if it becomes political football if it is
mistaken by personal affront to their efficiency
The result will be calling and buckpassng and no
Improvement in. the school system
AS its first effect the McKnsey Report will probably
county officials and taxpayers scrutnize
thoroughly than in the past the Board of Educaton
quested budgets.
Another immediate effect of the report, hope will be
impress the School Board the necessity of their conduct
ing open meetings We sincerely believe that some of the
school systems ills pointed out in the McKnsey Report
attributable to the many secret School Board meetings at
which decisions unchecked by the rein of public opinion
Several months this newspaper published box score
of School Board meetings revealing how many sessions
conducted behind closed doors Now it appears may not
have known about all the meetings Sentinel reporter in the
Board of Education Building business night recently
stumbled upon secret unannounced School Board meeting
The School Board asked that its meeting with the County
Council at which the McKnsey Report presented be
closed to the public and press. The council refused
The McEinsey Report must be studied Internationally.
Some of the recommendations will undoubtedly be scratched
impractical The remainder should be the pattern for ad
minsrave decisions personnel policies, and legislation
to rapidly improve the Montgomery County school
system.