Marks: School Board Should Reexamine Air Conditioning Priority List
Over the past several years, Baltimore County has made steady progress as it seeks to air condition all its public schools. Despite limited funding, the county is on track to reduce the number of schools without air conditioning from 54 percent in 2010 to 36 percent within two years.
Unfortunately, that progress is not shared uniformly throughout Baltimore County. There is a significant disparity between the western, northern, and eastern parts of the county.
Looking at schools by County Council district, after the current round of air conditioning, the number of non-air conditioned schools will stand at 28 percent in the First District (Catonsville); 19 percent in the Second District (Pikesville and Reisterstown); 20 percent in the Third District (Cockeysville); and 18 percent in the Fourth District (Randallstown).
In the Fifth District that I represent, 35 percent of schools will still need air conditioning. The number is 40 percent in the Sixth District, which stretches from Parkville to Middle River, and 36 percent in the Seventh District, based in Dundalk.
When County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins and I wrote to the school system, the response from the Director of Physical Facilities indicated that "the final selection of projects is based upon several factors, including geographical parity." The current list for immediate funding excludes nearly every school in Loch Raven, Carney, Parkville, Perry Hall, and Kingsville. I don't know how this reflects geographical parity.
You can see the geographic imbalance on the attached map, where red dots represent schools not immediately programmed for air conditioning.
I am grateful that Seven Oaks Elementary School in Perry Hall will receive air conditioning through an energy grant. But Joppa View Elementary School, built within one year, ranks dead last among elementary schools, even though it would presumably be less expensive to retrofit due to its age.
I am urging the school system to reevaluate this list so that it better reflects geographic equity. Students in Loch Raven, Carney, Parkville, Perry Hall, and Kingsville deserve the same access to air conditioning as those in western and northern Baltimore County.
Bart
10:20 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Stuts, get lost. You're a repulsive, worthless troll. David Marks secured plenty of money for Towson - you'd be attacking him if he DIDN'T stick up for hos communities.Go back to your cats, troll.
Stark
10:31 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
The patch editors should ban "JDStuts"for violating terms of use. This person is the most offensive commenter and does not deserve any more attention. Keep up the good work David.
Emily
11:10 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
The Seven Oaks Community is extremely grateful to be on the list of schools to receive air conditioning through the work of Councilman Marks. This blessing is coming as the youngest of my children has almost completed his time at SOES, but I am very happy for future classes. As an active volunteer, I can speak to the almost intolerable environment of the school in the spring and fall for both the students and teachers. It's hard to see the children (and teachers) with allergies and asthma struggle to function in that environment. I can't imagine the situation in other schools is much different. Reading the information presented in the article was eye-opening, to say the least. I think the school board should be "called" on their decisions and asked to explain themselves in greater detail. Very disappointing! Resources aren't being distributed evenly. That is unfair and unacceptable.
Emily Kimball
5:17 pm on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Apologies—we deleted a comment for violating the terms of use and it seems to have also removed some non-violating comments as well. I apologize for any problems this has caused.
Buck Harmon
8:18 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
Take out a loan and do them all equally....quit screwing around with the students...they deserve better...anything shy slights the equal education opportunities for Baltimore County students... quit playing politics as though it were some sort of game and get the damn job done for the kids sake...!!
Buck Harmon
8:20 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
Or stop the use of AC in ALL schools until enough money can be saved to treat all equally...fair is fair...except of course in the political arena.
Carney Mom
4:57 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Thank you for your support and the work you are doing, specifically for Carney Elementary School. My kids are in the non-a/c part of the school and the days they come home sweating and tired is to many to count. It is unfair and unhealthy for them to have to sit in these hot classrooms!
Carney Mom
4:59 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Thank you for your support and the work you are doing, specifically for Carney Elementary School. My kids are in the non-a/c part of the school and the days they come home sweating and tired is to many to count. It is unfair and unhealthy for them to have to sit in these hot classrooms!
Buck Harmon
12:34 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Maybe parents with children in schools that don't offer equal opportunities for education in a healthy environment should file lawsuits against the County and the School Board.....you only get one crack at a good education for your children...