Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Perry Hall students spent last week hearing presentations from prominent "green" children's author Jennifer Keats Curtis.
From an osprey caught in fishing line to an otter without toys, students at Joppa View Elementary learned new approaches to environmental issues last week. "Most kids can identify exotic animals, but they're less familiar with what's in their own backyards," said children's author Jennifer Keats Curtis, following a presentation to kindergarten students on Friday. "They may not realize what's living right here in Maryland." Curtis, an Anne Arundel County native, has published five children's books about positive interactions with the local habitat. Three additional books are scheduled for release this summer. But with the help of an environmental education grant, Curtis took a break from writing last week for presentations to every class in…
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Baltimore Sun released a ranking of Baltimore County high schools with the highest average class sizes.
UPDATE (5 p.m.)—Baltimore County's highest populated school also has some of the most crowded classrooms. According to a Baltimore Sun report, Perry Hall High School ranks seventh in the county with 25.1 percent of classes with 30 or more students. Dulaney High School ranks first with 36.3 percent. Perry Hall is currently about 4 percent over-capacity with a total enrollment of 2,199 students, according to the school's county profile. The school faced budget cuts last year and was forced to reduce its faculty by 18 positions. In response to the Sun article on class sizes, Baltimore County Public Schools officials announced on Monday afternoon, "There is no empirical research that links student performance to class size." Also stated in …
Baltimore County has approved a traffic calming measure near Gunpowder Elementary School in Perry Hall.
Baker Lane in Perry Hall will likely receive two speed bumps by summer 2012, County Councilman David Marks announced Monday. Baker Lane connects Belair Road to Gunpowder Elementary School on Holiday Manor Road. Speed bumps are planned for areas near 4112 Baker Lane and 4128 Baker Lane, according to Marks. While Baltimore County has approved the project, the traffic calming measure requires approval from 75 percent of impacted residents. Marks said that he spent time this past weekend walking Baker Lane and visiting residents to gain support. "Our traffic engineers have concluded that Baker Lane has the traffic volume and speed to warrant changes along this route," he said. "The improvements can advance once a majority of residents along …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Rose Gauza passed away this week at 52.
Rosemary Ann Gauza had a passion for teaching, and a passion for people. The Riderwood Elementary School fourth-grade teacher had a particular knack for reaching out to children, said principal Kathy DeHart. "They were not just names in a grade book, they were not just faces sitting in front of a desk," DeHart said. "She knew about their families, about their pets, about their passions. She would get to know them and she would give each of them a nickname." Ms. Gauza, 52, a Perry Hall resident, died Thursday after falling ill earlier in the week. Ms. Gauza missed last school year because of an illness. Ms. Gauza, who began her teaching career 30 years ago in Baltimore City, had taught at Riderwood since 1995. She began as a special …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Part of New Wave Martial Arts' program is tailored specifically toward helping children handle problems with bullies.
In a shopping center long characterized by empty storefronts, a martial arts instructor is finding a growing customer base. New Wave Martial Arts opened at 4323 Ebenezer Rd. at Perry Hall Square Shopping Center in early April. Even before the wall-to-wall mat in the main instruction area had been installed, 15 students were signed up for classes, according to Master Rick Stephan. The taekwondo master built up more than 17 years experience as an instructor before joining his son, owner Shawn Stephan, in making the $20,000 investment to start the school. At least two other martial arts schools already hold classes in the Perry Hall area. Stephan told Patch he anticipates 90 students within the school's first 90 days. "Our enrollments have …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Plan to fix "Doomsday Budget" includes $247 million in tax increases and elimination of exemptions for single filers earning $100,000 or more and joint filers earning $150,000 or more.
UPDATE (5:59 p.m.)—Some Maryland residents will pay more taxes in the coming year under a plan worked out between Gov. Martin O'Malley and legislative leaders. O'Malley, accompanied by House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, announced the nearly $35.8 billion plan during a Wednesday morning news conference in Annapolis to discuss the upcoming special session. "To leave this budget incomplete, to leave this budget as it stands right now, would damage the very forward motion that all of us, together, have worked so hard to achieve for our state," O'Malley said. "Progress is a choice," O'Malley said. "Job creation is a choice. Building America's number one schools, making a college education affordable, …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Officials released a report on combating bullying in schools during Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting.
Bad news for bullies in Baltimore County public schools—suspensions are increasing among students who intimidate and harass their classmates. A report released during Tuesday night's Baltimore County Public Schools Board of Education meeting detailed the county's efforts to combat bullying, action mandated by the state's Safe Schools Reporting Act of 2005. The county's anti-bullying efforts include preventative measures and swift disciplinary actions—including suspension—according to Glenda Myrick, the county schools coordinator of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, who presented the report to the board. Reported incidents of bullying have increased more than 350 percent between 2007 and 2011, going from 142 to 510. During that same time, …
A 7-year-old White Marsh baseball player completed a rare play last week.
OUTSIDE BALTIMORE, MD -- If only Little League had instant replay. Cristian Banks, a 7-year-old Fullerton Elementary student, completed a rare unassisted triple play on May 3. Coach Marty Neff, who has been involved with the White Marsh Recreation Council for the past 10 years, said it was the first time he's seen it done by one of his players. It's unusual outside of Little League, as well. According to MLB.com, only 15 unassisted triple plays have been recorded in Major League Baseball history. Share your favorite moments in kids' sports in the comments. Neff described the play, which lasted only seconds: "With the bases loaded and Cristian playing third base, the batter hit a line drive that Cristian moved to his right to catch for the …
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Volunteers at the middle school were recognized last week.
Perry Hall Middle School's Parent-Teacher-Student Association was honored last week during the PTA Council of Baltimore County awards celebration. The PHMS PTSA released the following statement: What a week for the PHMS PTSA! On Thursday before the Talent Show, the PHMS PTSA received a number of awards and recognitions at the annual PTA Council of Baltimore County awards celebration. We received best communications program, best safety program (on bullying), unit of excellence award and our own Terry Koogle received an Award of Special Recognition for all of the work she put into our PTSA this year to help get it back on track. Terry has been involved in all of the Perry Hall schools PTA’s for last 15 years. She is nominated for VP at …
bill bissenas
6:27 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
As a conservative (and not a Republican), I agree with you. The Dems will continue to take an ever increasing share of our property and our liberty until we stop them (through the ballot box, of course). more ›