Students and parents weren't the only ones walking around the hallways with wide eyes Monday.
The first day of classes attracted a slew of visits to schools by top-ranking system administrators, most of whom brought elected officials with them.
"These are stakeholders in our school system; they provide our funding," said spokeswoman Patti Caplan. "We want them to see firsthand how we are using the funds they allocate for education. Plus, it's fun for them to see what is going on in the schools."
Based on the number of schools visited, Del. Guy Guzzone may have had the most fun of any of the elected officials. He was a man on a mission. He showed up at 14 schools, far surpassing the number visited Monday by any other politician in Howard County.
Superintendent Sydney L. Cousin and Mamie J. Perkins, the school system's chief of staff, accompanied County Executive Ken Ulman and County Councilwoman Courtney Watson, a former school board member, to Mount Hebron High, Centennial High and Burleigh Manor Middle. Cousin and Ulman also went to Centennial Lane Elementary.
Later, Cousin visited Phelps Luck Elementary, Gorman Crossing Elementary and Murray Hill Middle.
"Thank you for your tour of schools on opening day," Watson wrote in a letter to the school system. "It's a wonderful experience to see everything come together for a new beginning on the first day of school. The hard work of teachers, administrative staff, and support personnel was very evident. Many thanks to them for their hard work on behalf of the residents of Howard County."
Roger Plunkett, the school system's business, community, government relations officer, coordinated the visits. He said that the tours are in step with Cousin's vision.
"It shows strong collaboration," Plunkett said. "It is something that the superintendent believes in, and will continue to do throughout the year."
Steve Gibson, principal at Burleigh Manor Middle, said that members of his school were happy to have Cousin and Ulman visit. The two spent a half-hour touring the school, Gibson said.
"Everybody was very excited to have them in the building," Gibson said. The visit meant most to the students, he said. "It's about the kids feeling good."
Raymond Brown, the school system's chief operating officer, accompanied County Council Chairman Calvin Ball to Stevens Forest Elementary, Deep Run Elementary, Long Reach High and Bellows Spring Elementary.
