How can anyone in the Mays Chapel community possibly be shocked or unhappy that the School Board has decided to build an elementary school on the site originally designated for that purpose on the development plan for Mays Chapel. Why would Councilman Huff even consider throwing up obstacles to something as beneficial as a new school in the neighborhood? A small outspoken group of neighbors has claimed the site as their personal park, and is outraged that the County would dare use it for its intended purpose. If they are successful in blocking the school, the rest of us taxpayers that are impacted by overcrowded schools should call on the County to sell the surplus land. Another 110 townhouses is surely a better use than a despicable elementary school.

I am sure that there are a lot of families with young children who welcome an Elementary School in their neighborhood. Just think of the reduction in School Bus expenses. Where do all those kids go now?
Also, a central school helps make a community closer. I can't understand the uproar of those who do not want it.

Why build another school when you can get a better education online?

Dear Bart: Years of hard work. Thanks for noticing.
Let me say this before you totally dismiss my idea.
Many kids will perform better in a non-traditonal school.
What if you said to them stay home and study thru an online programs?
That would be less students in the schools and maybe less over crowding
and we would not have to build more schools.
I'm sure you were a great student but some of us should have been elsewhere because I got thru it (BCPS) but I didn't really get much out of it.

MLC, parent Mays Chapel- Currently most of the children either go to Pinewood Elem or private school. Pinewood is also experiencing increasing enrollment, and I believe now has it's largest student population ever. A new elem tart school is exactly what is needed at that site. And though my children will be beyond elem school by the time it would open, as long as I am in the area I will be a supporter.

Agree completely. Many of the communities in our area are attracting younger families. Pinewood class size has hovered around 25 since my kids first started there & will only increase. Good neighborhoods need good schools. Better to plan for likely future growth than put it off until Pinewood is splitting at the seams.

B

Why hasn't the Orchard Hills ES site been considered. It seems to make more sense considering that the overcrowding is worse in the Towson area schools. A school very close to West Towson ES would alleviate the misstep by the county in building only a 450 seat school in the first place.

The park-like nature of the Mays Chapel "park", which has always been the property of BCPS will not be destroyed by building a much-needed elementary school. Take a look at Pinewood. There is plenty of open space for local residents to enjoy when students are in class, and after school and on weekends. The walking path could be preserved, as well as the forest buffer area with walking path favored by many of us who walk our dogs there. The park was never to be for the exclusive use of the Mays Chapel development. And it is not the only park-like area in the neighborhood.