“Building a new school,” I began my testimony on House Bill 798, “is like making an omelet.  You need to break eggs.

As part of the legislation funding the construction of new schools in Baltimore City, a significant number of schools have to be closed.

The decline in enrollment meant there were too many empty seats in classrooms.

But a school is a hallmark of a neighborhood.

What will take its place?  Will the community have adequate input in making that decision?

My legislation, as amended, would create a process that guarantees consultation with the neighborhood.

Issue #2: When a new school is under construction, the students must move to a swing school.

Two closed schools in my district, Northwestern Senior High and Garrison Middle, are scheduled to be a swing school for the third time.

That leaves the neighborhoods surrounding those schools in limbo.

My bill began a discussion of alternatives to the current use of swing schools.

I hope to introduce a new bill to address this issue next year.