By Kacie Haines
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz’s budget proposal for the 2019 fiscal year includes $1.3 billion to modernize Baltimore County schools.
In addition, the Democrat is proposing that the county spend $30 million for planning studies to build two new high schools, although Kamenetz did not say which schools would be rebuilt.
The initiative to renovate or build new schools comes after years of parents complaining about poor conditions at several high schools, including some that have rats or water fountains that put out brown water. Dulaney, Towson and Lansdowne high schools in particular have been highlighted because of their problems.
Kamenetz, who is making his proposal as he is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for governor, now says that education is his top priority.
“Why is education our number one priority? Students are learning skills that prepare them to adapt to new technologies and way of solving problems that we can’t even imagine,” Kamenetz said in his budget message to the County Council. “It is our obligation to make sure all of our children learn the skills they need to get good jobs and thrive.”
Parents around the county have been pushing the county to upgrade several existing school facilities that are eager for changes to be made for the sake of all the students around Baltimore County.
“They earmarked $30 million for two high schools, but the county executive choose not to name the schools,” said Yara Cheikh, a parent of four children who attend and will attend Dulaney High School. “[Baltimore County Public Schools] will be making that selection.”
Parents who were interviewed before and after Kamenetz released his 2019 spending plan said they want to ensure that schools are fixed so that students work in a positive learning environment.
“I think it negatively affects the morale of our students,” Cheikh said “I think it’s unsafe.”
Dulaney High School in Cockeysville was built in 1964 and has never been updated. It is not compliant with the Americans with Disability Act, is overcrowded, and has outdated equipment, such as a 54-year-old electrical panel that has a normal life span of 25 years, Cheika said.
In response to the problems there, Cheikh and other parents started a group called The Friends of Dulaney High School over four years ago. The group has pushed for a new Dulaney while also advocating for other schools around the county.
“Friends of Dulaney has done a good job trying to not put themselves before other schools, but it is a shame that schools are being pitted up against one another to get the renovations each school needs,” said Jenny Atwater, a Towson University professor who has three children who will attend Dulaney.
Parents who were interviewed said they want to see school improvements for all county children, but they know there won’t be changes for years to come.
“None of my children will ever see a new Dulaney High School, but it is about the community and what’s right moving forward,” Cheikh said.
The conditions of other Baltimore County schools are similar to Dulaney, parents said.
“The air conditioning and the heat have to be run at the same time, because there is too much condensation and mold develops,” said Kris Henry, whose son is a freshman at Towson High School. “It’s a huge problem in the gym because when it’s warm there is no air-conditioning in the gym but there is heat, so when it’s hot out it’s being heated.”
Robbie Leonard, a 2000 graduate from Dulaney, said past, current and future students should be proud of their school.
“I want people that want to buy houses in our community to stay because they know they are going to send their kids to one of the best public schools in the state and that’s where I would like to see the schools in 10 years,” Leonard said.
Leonard, who is running for a seat in the state Senate, said he wants to be part of the solution.
“Our elected officials can’t be talking about being fiscally responsible because I don’t think it is responsible to let your schools fall into disrepair for the next generation to have to find a solution because of mismanagement,” Leonard said.
Parents praised county teachers.
“The facilities at my children’s schools are inadequate and pathetic, but the teaching is amazing,” Cheikh. “The people in these buildings are extraordinary and what they accomplish in such in such dilapidated, underfunded facilities is simply extraordinary.”
If the FY 2019 budget gets adopted a historic amount of money will go towards Baltimore County schools and its renovations that parents want addressed as soon as possible.
“As the budget process progresses, we look forward to working closely with the County Council to ensure that we remain focused on safety and academic achievement,” Baltimore Interim Superintendent Verletta White said in a statement.