21st Century schools – Sandy Rosenberg

“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.

All federally funded capital projects are ultimately local.

Biden’s infrastructure bill will include $137 billion for public schools, community colleges, and child-care facilities.

After I read that this morning, I shared it with a City Schools administrator, the chair of the Baltimore City delegation in the House of Delegates, and an alumnus of a school in my district.

The sooner we begin discussing the schools that should be modernized, the better.

Projects that are shovel ready are more likely to get funded.

My 41^st District colleagues and discussed this before today.

As you likely know, Baltimore City already has a 21^st Century Schools construction program. It’s a joint effort between the school system and the Maryland Stadium Authority.

Taking steps now means federal money is more likely later.

My Key Issues:

Tag: 21st Century schools

Making omelets and schools in limbo

Ultimately local and more likely later

My Key Issues: