Baltimore County Schools

Four Baltimore-area schools are among the six that have earned state Blue Ribbon honors, Maryland Department of Education officials said on Thursday. Baltimore County's Chadwick Elementary in the Woodlawn area and Charlesmont Elementary in Dundalk were the two elementary schools named on the list, which also included Folly Quarter Middle in Howard County, Robert Frost Middle in Montgomery County, Century High School in Carroll County and Boonsboro High School in Washington County.

Disruptive behavior in some Baltimore County secondary schools has "reached a level never heretofore experienced," but fears of violence and crime -- even where little occur -- are just as pervasive and "must be addressed as vigorously as actual violence," a report on Baltimore County school behavior says."

When local homebuilders said last week that they would consider building schools to help offset the effect of development, people listened.County Commissioners have grappled for years with the problem of school crowding, but the issue has come to a head as the county faces a $5 million budget deficit and a rapidly growing school population, driven by residential development.But don't expect a magic bullet.Local homebuilders say they want to share their expertise, not their money. Among their suggestions: adding modular units to schools, which can be done within months with no heavy construction on site.

When local homebuilders said last week that they would consider building schools to help offset the effect of development, people listened.Carroll County Commissioners have grappled for years with the problem of school crowding, but the issue has come to a head as the county faces a $5 million budget deficit and a rapidly growing school population, driven by residential development.But don't expect a magic bullet.Homebuilders say they want to share their expertise, not their money. Among their suggestions: adding modular units to schools, which can be done within months with no heavy construction on site.

Maryland schoolchildren yesterday braved slushy streets, ice- and snow-covered sidewalks and bus stops piled high with snow, but most managed to arrive for the first day of classes since the Blizzard of '96.One school-related injury occurred when a Howard County student on his way home was hit by a car and scraped his face.Heavy traffic and semi-plowed streets and parking lots made for harried morning and evening commuting, and late arrivals were almost universal. At some Baltimore County schools, principals and assistant principals were directing traffic.

For nearly three quarters of a million Maryland students and for Nancy Grasmick, it was back to school yesterday. As schools reopened, the state Board of Education announced that Mrs. Grasmick will be the new state superintendent of schools.Mrs. Grasmick had been secretary of the state Department of Juvenile Services, but most of her professional life has been spent in Baltimore County schools as a teacher and administrator. She returns to education at a difficult time: More is being demanded of schools, resources are tight and leadership is in transition.

Baltimore County public school officials spent last night trying to allay the health fears of parents whose children attend a southwest county elementary school that is being renovated. Several parents at Baltimore Highlands Elementary School on Annapolis Road contend their children have suffered from rashes to migraine headaches as a result of the renovations. One complaint has been filed with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It was investigated, and no violations were found at the 600-pupil school, an agency spokesman said.

Newly appointed Baltimore County school Superintendent Dallas Dance has picked a transition team that includes two former state superintendents and a college president among the 21 individuals who will guide him in the first three months of his job. Beginning in June, the team will meet to review the school system and give Dance its thoughts on the strengths of the system as well as areas that may need to be improved. Dance drew his team from several states, picking Nancy S. Grasmick, the former Maryland school superintendent, and William Bosher, the former Virginia superintendent, to lead the team.

Mussina's not the problem I'm sure I'm not the only reader who was astonished and appalled by John Zaruba's unwarranted attack on Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina in The Sun on April 9. Musina is surely one of the top five starting pitchers in the game. He has been effusive in expressing his appreciation of Baltimore fans and has made it clear that he wants to play here. To label him a "greedy prima donna" is grossly unfair and monumentally ignorant. If nothing else, Mussina's presence on the roster ensures that, at least every fifth day, the Orioles will be worth watching and will have a chance to win. Don Brizendine, Baltimore Blast winners on, off field I constantly hear that Baltimore needs a winning team.

How the Baltimore County Board of Education is constituted is now totally under the control of the state and Baltimore County government leaders. The board is appointed by the governor (with strong recommendations by the county executive). Yet at the local, state and national levels of government, top leadership is generally elected and appointed. That's how democracy works. Why should Baltimore County's school board not be elected? Why shouldn't candidates stand before their fellow citizens and explain why they should be elected and ask for their votes?