Many parents have complained about inequities in South Carroll High School?s facilities compared with other county high schools.
In addition, many schools are faced with several challenges, including teacher retention and overcrowding.
The current county commissioners said they need to continue working with the school board to address these problems and work together more during the budget process.
What else can be done to continue cooperation?
Dennis Beard: “Cooperation … needs to … include the parents, [who] can see where the school is lacking … . Our newer schools have some of the highest [testing] scores … . This [tells us about] the need for attention at the older schools.”
C. Eric Bouchat: “Establish primary communication persons on the Commissioner Board and School Board to speak in one voice about issues of concern.”
Vincent DiPietro: “Make teachers? pay comparable to other counties in Maryland. Build additions to existing schools instead of building new schools.”
Julia Walsh Gouge: “Continued cooperation between the commissioners and the school board is a must. Working with parent groups, the teachers and school personnel will keep us in touch with how things are working.”
Dave Greenwalt: “The Board of Commissioners must take a leadership role by becoming an active visitor in county schools. The commissioners are the ones who ultimately must approve the budget.”
Doug Howard: “Commissioners must work more closely with the Board of Education and take responsibility for school funding. This, along with attracting and retaining teachers, is key to my plan for education.”
Perry Jones Jr.: “We must continue to have the parents and teachers help us in finding these inequities and [report] to us. We will keep having community meetings throughout the county.”
Mary Kowalski: “Our current commissioners believe government is there to serve government. They have the money for a new Board of Education building, but not for repairs at South Carroll High.”
Dean Minnich: “As more parents get involved with … schools? needs … they [can] help officials … get adequate funding … . Quality of education … has not suffered at South Carroll High, but we need to get state … money [for] construction.”
Doug Myers: “I agree there needs to be more involvement with the School Board. You can?t just say, ?Here is your money. Go spend it.?”
Michael Zimmer: “Your story of July 21 headlined, ?Task Force Amid Complaints About Schools,? documents blame shifting of the incumbents. Leaders get results. They don?t make excuses. We need action not new committees.”
Richard Solomon and Wade Miracle did not respond.
