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Baltimore County schools move forward with renovations list

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Jul 10, 2008 4:46 AM (56 days ago) by Dorothy Rowley, The Examiner
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Related Topics: Baltimore County

Baltimore County (Map, News) - In what critics are calling a not-well-thought-out decision, the Baltimore County Board of Education voted Tuesday evening to forge ahead on a list of renovation projects that will be paid for with money previously earmarked for the expansion of Loch Raven High School.

“The board made its decision and the list which contains 42 projects is in priority order,” said Board President JoAnn Murphy. “It will be completed as far as the money will go down the list.”

Members of the County Council voted earlier this week to transfer $12 million which became available after the board scrapped plans last month for a 400-seat addition to Loch Raven in hopes of alleviating overcrowding at several northeast high schools — including Towson and Perry Hall.

However, county lawmakers and parents who have been pushing for a new school have questioned use of the funds — most of which will go toward re-paving school parking lots, replacing tracks and upgrading tennis courts.

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The list of items was submitted earlier this year as part of the school system’s capital budget but it was not included in County Executive Jim Smith’s FY09 spending plan.

David Marks, president of the Perry Hall Improvement Association, said the $12 million has nothing to do with relieving overcrowding. During Tuesday’s meeting he presented the board with a petition of 1,600 signatures in support of a new high school. According to Marks, the board realizes the need for a new facility and the signatures are a way of letting it know it has the community’s support.

Otherwise, “moving forward on the list is not a good decision,” Marks said. “They rushed to get the projects approved when the money could have been better spent to purchase land [for a school site].”

Smith spokesman Don Mohler emphasized that neither Smith nor the County Council had anything to do with the inclusion of items on the list. “It was created and prioritized by the Board of Education,” he said. “All [the county] did was fund a request” to get the projects started.

Nonetheless, Marks contends that a new high school will eventually be constructed.

“I think it’ll be built after the current county executive leaves office,” he said.

drowley@baltimoreexaminer.com

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Comments from Examiner Readers

11:40 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 22, 2008 re: "County is cautioned to ‘go slow’ on Ridge Ruxton School additions"

 Examiner Reader said:
RIDGE RUXTON SCHOOL IS A SPECIAL NEED SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN TOWSON FAMILY UNTIED WANT TO ATTACK A WING TO THE SPECIAL NEED SCHOOL PLEASE BORDER OF EDUCATION PLEASE DO NOT ATTACK THE WING ON TO RIDGE RUXTON

 3 agree | 1 disagree
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2:47 PM MST on Mon., Aug. 18, 2008 re: "Baltimore County school board cuts time for public input"

 Examiner Reader said:
as usual the Board of Ed, wants to do more shaddy deals that the public has no say in, what is so secret that they can't hold open meetings all the time and have input from the public?? they use my tax money so I should have more say.

 2 agree | 3 disagree
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6:33 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 14, 2008 re: "Baltimore County hires Kaplan to revamp its school curriculum"

 Examiner Reader said:
Manatee County Florida has hired Kaplan and we will start their program this fall. How has it worked in your district? Janet

 1 agree | 2 disagree
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11:36 AM MST on Fri., Jul. 4, 2008 re: "Lawmakers, parents challenge school improvement projects"

 Set and Match said:
Looks like grand standing whiners to me. Where's my cut? Woman are the majority of voters and they would prefer these funds to be divided equally between districts, redistrict the over crowding and pay the right person a salary next time. When you see tears do not give in to the unethical BS. Put free day care in school's like in Sweden and you will win any office you want so woman can work, etc. President, woman will vote for free day care and job creations. We want to be equals and we want job creations, a better economy without drugs and abusers having access to our children. Children are #1, period.

1 agree | 2 disagree
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7:01 AM MST on Fri., Jun. 13, 2008 re: "Smith to reallocate $12M in ex-high school project"

 Eyes on Fred said:
The County Executive may need to take time out from his quest for higher office to consult with his trusted advisors on this if he can find them in secluded parking lots or the race track.........

 4 agree | 2 disagree
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5:55 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 12, 2008 re: "Smith to reallocate $12M in ex-high school project"

 Examiner Reader said:
What does reallocate really mean??

 2 agree | 1 disagree
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5:52 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 12, 2008 re: "Smith to reallocate $12M in ex-high school project"

 Examiner Reader said:
Wonder whose pocket the $12 mil dollars will go to, now that its been reallocated?? I bet the county will come up with some great new position, for a political friend to be paid from it, or a hefty raise for the upper staff of the county like Smith and his buddies!!

 1 agree | 2 disagree
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1:43 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 12, 2008 re: "Smith to reallocate $12M in ex-high school project"

 Examiner Reader said:
I hope that the teachers, parents and community leaders as well as the citizens of Baltimore County now realize that Jim Smith is the most corupt County Executive we ever had. He never cared about children and families only developers and his buddies. When he fired John Webber and Mike Gimbel as his first acts as county executive, we should have known he didn't care about our kids. I hope we learned our lesson and vote for candidates that care about our children.

 5 agree | 2 disagree
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9:18 AM MST on Thu., Jun. 12, 2008 re: "Smith to reallocate $12M in ex-high school project"

 Examiner Reader said:
Again this shows how the Smith/Homan administration merely do what they wnt instead of listening to employees, taxpayers or anyone else. This shows that TABCO and BCFPE were right. There was money available for across the board raises, but the administration had their "pet projects" in mind.

 2 agree | 1 disagree
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1:54 AM MST on Thu., Jun. 12, 2008 re: "Smith to reallocate $12M in ex-high school project"

 Libglib said:
The Loch Raven project wouldn't have alleviated overcrowding anyway. Good job school board.

 2 agree | 2 disagree
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12:55 AM MST on Thu., Jun. 12, 2008 re: "Smith to reallocate $12M in ex-high school project"

 Johnny Apple seed said:
Money is the issue on school overcrowding. The rich silver spoons can pay for their own private school, can't they? Women are the majority of voters, smaller children are #1. Build another elementary school and middle school when needed. Send the city high schooler's that are living on OUR COUNTY funds back. Enforce the laws on the book. When OUR state and feds alot more funds for OUR city, students get back where they belong. Lets thank Baltimore County for the many additional meets to bring us all together. We all matter. Let's be fair.

 2 agree | 2 disagree
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11:23 AM MST on Mon., Jun. 2, 2008 re: "Public schools requiring students to prove residency"

 Examiner Reader said:
Long overdue. If all schools honestly maintain this policy. We will see.

 4 agree | 4 disagree
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7:23 AM MST on Thu., May. 8, 2008 re: "Board kills addition to Ridge Ruxton"

 Examiner Reader said:
So the Towson area is getting a new school, yet the pleas for a new high school in the Perry Hall area get ignored year after year.

 5 agree | 5 disagree
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3:30 AM MST on Mon., May. 5, 2008 re: "County is cautioned to ‘go slow’ on Ridge Ruxton School additions"

 Examiner Reader said:
and you teachers have done a great job at woodlawn and randallstown high schools. teaching the felons of tomorrow.

 3 agree | 3 disagree
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4:11 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 25, 2008 re: "School overcrowding concerns spark education funding protest"

 Tax Payer said:
Please get another job where the pay is good and you don't have to complain.I know your job is difficult, but with the price of energy and the cost of living going up ,and all these new taxes, we just cann't afford it right now.I'm a tax paying citizen and I have heard enough!No aand no = NO!

 5 agree | 5 disagree
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9:27 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 23, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Many people posting on the teacher pay topic are extreme in one direction or the other. Someone who has not been a teacher should probably not comment on how easy the job is. In most cases it is an extremely difficult job. They deserve to be paid as valued professionals. At the same time, teachers should not just assume that happy teachers equal better students. Unfortunately, some teachers feel this sense of entitlement. In my experience, most teachers are aware and understanding of this issue, while a small number impulsively demand more money at all costs. The same seems to exist on the other side. The most polarized opinions seem to be blind to the "big picture," but they're the ones making the angry comments, making this topic even more heated. I don't think the snowball of controversy and anger is helping our kids.

 6 agree | 5 disagree
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9:05 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 19, 2008 re: "School restructuring in Baltimore County involves few teachers"

 Examiner Reader said:
is there a way to prevent this? southwest academy has great teachers. i believe its the students behaviors that makes teachers mad or stressed.

 5 agree | 5 disagree
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9:14 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008 re: "Towson parents file complaint over plans"

 Examiner Reader said:
Look at that, another lawsuit filed against the Smith and Homan administration!

 8 agree | 3 disagree
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9:42 PM MST on Tue., Apr. 8, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Remember we are teaching the future of our country. If you do not want exceptional teachers aiding in this - it's you that will suffer. I hope that you will be happy when you are not able to retire and will not have social security. All because you are worried about teachers receiving a 2% COLA raise. Honestly, 2% is nothing. You can disrespect us all you want, but we are what makes this country and we have more power than you think. Everyone has had a teacher in life and teachers will always be needed. Will your job always be needed?

 5 agree | 4 disagree
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4:24 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 8, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Reader said:
NO!! And we mean it.Get another job!

 4 agree | 7 disagree
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4:20 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 8, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Reader said:
Quit your whinning and find something esle with a little more pay.

 6 agree | 7 disagree
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9:22 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 7, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
As a educator, it gets to be tiresome to hear people say "You have it easy having summers off." Do you know that Baltimore County teachers do not even get paid for the whole year? Our pay checks are for 10 months! Do you know that the extra hours we spend in our classrooms is not considered overtime? That's right, we do not get paid for them. Do you know most teachers have two part time jobs over the summer to pay bills and to buy classroom materials? What other job do you know that you have to supply your own materials and with your own money? Please feel free to come into my classroom at any given time and volunteer FOR FREE. People take exceptional teachers for granted. You will see how your child's education is suffering when you lose the teachers like me in Baltimore County. It's horrible that there are people out there who do not support what we are doing for the future. Remember, the children we teach will be taking care of YOU one day.

 8 agree | 5 disagree
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3:11 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 4, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
To those naysayers out there who think all we do is babysit, have gobs of time off, and work just 7 hours a day -- don't speak of that which you know nothing about. Just add 4 hours to that 7(thank a teacher for being able to do this) and you get 11 hours, which is my average workday. Walk a mile in MY moccasins, and THEN you can tell me how easy it is to be a teacher. I don't see throngs flocking to "try out" for the privilege of being a teacher like they do on American Idol. Are you ready to try your hand at it? Winner gets the grand prize of teaching future generations of children whose parents write stupid comments about subjects they know nothing about!

 5 agree | 5 disagree
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2:43 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
I completely agree. Please feel free to volunteer your time (as I do each day) to come to my classroom and teach, or observe me. I teach in one of the schools that was mentioned in this discussion and would be very humbled to see that any "nay-sayer" of education actually took the time to see what its actually like in the classroom. Just because you once went to school- doesn't mean you know what its like to teach. Believe me. I didn't know what I was in for when I began just a few years ago. www.smithschoolcuts.com

 5 agree | 4 disagree
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11:02 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
I am a teacher and I would welcome anyone from any other profession to come into my classroom and teach for one day! They won't make past one day!!!! Jim Smith is welcome to come into my classroom and try to teach. He needs to make sure he doesn't wear his suit because we don't have air conditioning. It gets very hot in May, June, August and September. It is a crying shame that no one respects teachers anymore. We feel it everyday in everyway! We do infact deserve a 3% raise. Aren't your kids worth it!!!!!

 8 agree | 4 disagree
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10:27 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
I care.

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9:57 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Of course everyone deserves COLA raises- nobody said "teachers are special"- they are the ones fighting for it- what are you doing?

 4 agree | 5 disagree
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9:55 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
To the person who will be sweating their "arse off". First of all- pay the teachers to work over the summer and they will- gladly. Considering most buildings are unairconditioned we will be working in the same conditions you are, except we will be in the classroom with sweaty, irritable kids. I doubt you could handle that. Second of all you obviously don't see the value in education as you do not care to either spell check your entry or proofread it.

 5 agree | 4 disagree
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9:52 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
It would be one thing if there were thousands of people who were qualified to be teachers- but the thing is- is a good teacher is hard to find and the county is doing nothing to ensure the good teachers stay here.

 4 agree | 6 disagree
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9:48 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
jim smith just got a big old grant fromt he state for the brac use that money

 5 agree | 4 disagree
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8:29 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
While these teachers are off, I will be working. Sweating my arse off. These spoiled teachers make me sick. Sooo, sad these peanut gallery conplaners.

 7 agree | 9 disagree
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8:21 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
In China teh official language, we use both side of our brains, the left and the right. If you did your homework teachers you would see it is all about the future. Learn chinese, use both sides of your brain. Throw some pretty penny at the teachers and they will shut up!! Throw em on the ground, who cares, just watch our county teachers grow!! Thats my story and I am sticking to it!! Wage increases, please.

 3 agree | 5 disagree
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8:20 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Teachers are not more deserving. If there is not enough money for all county employees to get a cola raise then no one should get a cola raise.

 4 agree | 5 disagree
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8:18 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Just pay the teachers what they deserve. They do things from the love of their heart, the children are the future. If you want to be like China wqith a good education, it is not rocket science, it is funds for the teachers.

 4 agree | 4 disagree
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8:12 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
We all deserve cola raises. What makes teachers more deserving then the rest of us?

 4 agree | 4 disagree
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7:39 AM MST on Thu., Apr. 3, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 richard f said:
Sad to see the state gov. will find money to pay college coaches millions but the teachers who have to baby sit and send these kids into the world can't get a 3% raise.Jim Smith is too busy kissing up to the Governor.

 5 agree | 4 disagree
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7:31 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
The public willingly pays to watch athletes do their thing. Public school students not only don't pay to watch their teachers teach but they cut school so as to avoid the agony of it all. Maybe teachers should negotiate individual contracts each year like athletes do. Students cut school to go watch games. I never heard of anyone ducking out of a ball game to watch someone teach. Maybe students and parents should select teacher all star teams and the teachers could use that for their individual negotiation sessions. How many teachers at your kids school would get cut next year if management could do so?

 4 agree | 6 disagree
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6:12 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Teachers deserve more money and respect. Think about how much athletes get paid to throw a ball and then think about what professional teachers with masters degrees make. Its pitiful the amount teachers make.

 3 agree | 3 disagree
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9:46 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Ummmm, teachers make PLENTY of money, have great benefits, great hours, summers off....etc. They are just greedy.

 5 agree | 13 disagree
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7:41 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
The teachers attorneys are lucky they even get paid and are not disbarred so they need to behave!! The county children come first, always. The government is in a recesion to save their careers all because of BUSH's war. Idiot pubs!!

 6 agree | 8 disagree
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7:37 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Teachers make me laugh, they know they became teachers out of the goodmness of their heart. Either, switch profesions or wait till next year for your raise from the democratic/ party who are pubs you idiots. Vote dem you vote pub!!

 5 agree | 4 disagree
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7:26 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
That will never happen, Dream on!!!

 4 agree | 4 disagree
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7:11 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Maybe its time for a republican County exec and a few council members. this one pary county needs a shake up

 4 agree | 5 disagree
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7:07 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Just 8 months ago there was plenty of money for the obscene raise given to embattled County CAO Homan but no crumbs for the teachers. Thanks County Council and Exec. Has the Renaissance regressed to the Dark Ages in Towson??

 7 agree | 5 disagree
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6:50 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "County’s teachers protest to demand wage increases"

 Examiner Reader said:
Maybe if Baltimore County didnt flip the bill to defend Fred Homan's adultery lawsuit they could give the teachers a pay raisae. No money for teachers only to save Freddy!!!

 11 agree | 3 disagree
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4:05 PM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "Group files for documents on school overcrowding"

 Examiner Reader said:
Is Pleasant Plains overcrowded as well? I thought that was the "real issue". I believe that Pleasant Plains is not mentioned in this discussion because it is not currently overcrowded. However, if PP has concerns that relate to the overcrowding and education of their children, then they should be included in the discussion.

 10 agree | 10 disagree
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6:39 AM MST on Fri., Mar. 14, 2008 re: "New building a better option for overcrowding"

 Examiner Reader said:
No, Towson United are very active parents. If Pleasant Plains parents were active in large numbers, they might be included in the discussion.

 7 agree | 7 disagree
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2:14 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 11, 2008 re: "Group files for documents on school overcrowding"

 Examiner Reader said:
I think the real issue is that there are 333 African American children and 141 Whites out of a total 542 children at Pleasant Plains Elementary School (the other Towson elementary). I dare someone to bring THAT to the table. Are the Towson Families United are closet racists?

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1:59 PM MST on Tue., Mar. 11, 2008 re: "Group files for documents on school overcrowding"

 Dad said:
It's interesting how there is no mention of Pleasant Plains Elementary, which is a Towson public elementary school. Why is the common belief that Towson is served by only four public elementary schools: Rodgers Forge, Stoneleigh, Riderwood and Hampton? Perhaps it's because Hillendale is one of the feeder neighborhoods for Pleasant Plains? I'd love to hear the Towson United group address that honestly....but, the wouldn't dare would they?

 6 agree | 7 disagree
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6:09 PM MST on Mon., Mar. 10, 2008 re: "Teacher raises remain hot topic"

 Examiner Reader said:
Uncle Freddy needs to go away. baltimore County will be better off without him!!!

 6 agree | 6 disagree
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