Letter to the Editor: Board of Ed President Responds to Criticism
Lawrence Schmidt defends his position on opposing an elected school board.
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Baltimore County Board of Education president Lawrence E. Schmidt sent the following message to Patch in response to a letter to the editor sent Tuesday from a parent of a Baltimore County Public Schools student.
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Mr. Greene: I believe that Baltimore County Public Schools is a high achieving district not because we are located near Washington, DC, but because of our students, teachers and parents.
I give them the credit and believe that the school administration and Board of Education have provided a platform upon which our students can achieve! My point in opposing the elected school board bill is that the system, although far from perfect, is doing a good job in its most important task; i.e. educating students.
Those who complain about the current board frequently cite Policy 1300 (access to facilities), AIM (the teacher reporting model) and air conditioning as their chief complaints.
I'd prefer to hear those complaints rather than that "Johnny and Mary can't read." The board ultimately addressed and resolved AIM and Policy 1300. If the political leaders can find the funds, we're happy to air condition every school in Baltimore County. In the past five years, we've added 1.2 million square feet of air-conditioned space.
Under the current setup, our schools are "governed" by three entities that check and balance each other.
The board, which provides oversight and acts like a board of directors, the superintendent and staff (who provide day to day operational control) and our political leaders (who fund us).
Certainly, an elected school board position will be a bottom of the ballot entry. Running for a board position will necessitate raising a campaign war chest and aligning oneself with a top of the ballot office holder.
Do we really want the board to lose its independence and become overtly political? Particularly since we are accomplishing our core goal of educating the students of Baltimore County I (most respectfully) think not.
-Larry Schmidt
President, Board of Education of Baltimore County
johnny towson
3:58 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Greene and members of the BCPS Community,
The sampling of issues and their related comments published and posted over the past year and a half, have demonstrated that their is a major disconnect between the administrators of BCPS and the parents of BCPS. The parents have been consistently concerned that the School System, whatever the issue, can be better but its organizational design and composition does not allow for innovative rowth to keep up with customer (parent) demand. The administrators have been consistent in defending their work as "the best they can do" within the system they have to work; that the system is good enough. Plugging or fixing one hole in the dyke is not working, for either side. It appears that some focus should be given to re-routing the water upstream to relieve the pressure. The BCPS administration should invite an all volunteer board of nominated parents to work side by side BCPS executives administering the school system. The BCPS will add to its capacity and effectiveness and allow the parents to feel more a part of the process. This will help divert the upstream pressures that are becoming overwhelming. The BCPS administrators are going to have to give a little away in order to keep it.
Ed Veit
1:48 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Mr. Schmidt,
If Baltimore County Schools are doing so well and "...accomplishing the core goal of educating students...," then why was Dr. Hairston notified by October that he would not be renewed, is that not against the law?
On bringing politics to the BCPS, the Board has always been a political body, but over the past two or three years it has become overtly so. How many Board members are or have been employees of the Baltimore County government (include yourself)? How many Board members have been covertly been appointed by the County Executive?
And there is a simple answer to your reference to ballot placement: Have Board elections during the Presidential election year.
And to further politicize the Board, the County Executive wants enabling legislation so that he may combine the purchasing agencies of the Board and County government. Is this anti the Maryland Constitution? And by the way, a Democratic governor or a Republican governor does not appoint persons from the opposite party, regardless of their willingness to advocate for public schools.
Unfortunately, the Board of Education of Baltimore County is no longer comprised of parents or community members who are outspoken advocates for Baltimore County's public schools. The majority of the present Board has a different agenda than the children of Baltimore County.
John
7:19 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
The decision made by the board not to renew Mr. Hairston's contract was the most proactive we have seen our board on behalf of the students and families of Baltimore County. I can only hope that the new superintendent will be free to operate on behalf of our children... One that will not permit the obnoxious interference of a retired employee on behalf of herself.