School dances, lunch menus and homework appear to be more important to students at South Carroll High School than inequities in school facilities.
After the first day of school, most high schoolers said they weren?t concerned with the condition of the wrestling room or the need for a new fine arts center, issues highlighted by parents and community leaders.
“I think students pay a lot less attention to that,” said South Carroll Principal Eric King. “Parents put more of a focus on it. Students get used to the good or the bad.”
Students didn?t mention the recent tour of South Carroll High by county leaders and parents to assess the facilities after years of complaints that the school?s facilities were not at par and funding for repairs had been pushed down the list of county priorities, he said.
But after seeing South Carroll High firsthand, and comparing it to other high schools on the tour, many parents had positive feedback, King said.
“I think they saw other schools have issues we don?t,” King said. “Hopefully they have a realistic view. You can?t do everything.”
Meanwhile, students at South Carroll are more more interested in seeing old friends and meeting new teachers than comparing their 40-year-old building with that of 4-year-old Century High School a few miles away, said 15-year-old sophomore Rachel Koontz.
“It was amazing,” she said at the end of her first day back after summer.
Her friend 15-year-old Lindsay Ulsch agreed.
“No students are really talking about it,” she said. “Of course, it?s not going to be as good as Century.”
Richard Kelleher, 16, said he had heard people talking about problems with South Carroll High, but it doesn?t affect him.
Despite a once-slippery gym floor, which has been replaced, 17-year-old senior Kelly Clements said she didn?t have any complaints.
“We?re probably one of the oldest schools, but our school is known for its academics,” she said.
First day
» A projected 28,411 students started Carroll County Schools on Monday.
» More than 300 buses shuttled the students to school.
» Five schools opened with a new full-day kindergarten program.
Source: Carroll County school officials
