Baltimore County is moving forward with its plans for West Towson, as evidenced by the bevy of contracts for the new elementary school on the agenda for tonight's school board meeting.

Woodworking, roofing, flooring, waste management, steel -- you name it, it's on this long list.

The contracts caught my attention largely because of the ongoing lawsuit against the school system because of its decision to build this school next to Ridge Ruxton on Charles Street. You might recall that the school district is supposed to respond to a request for a preliminary injunction -- which would effectively halt construction plans -- by the end of Wednesday.

And on a completely unrelated note, piggybacking off of Sara's post today: Baltimore County announced its teacher of the year yesterday - Cecily Anderson, an eighth-grade English teacher at Catonsville Middle School. Anderson is known for presenting all of her students with equally challenging texts (such as unadulterated Shakespeare), in the belief that every child deserves to have a rigorous education.

In her remarks, Anderson made some people tear up as she talked about the impact the birth of her son, who has a rare genetic disease, had on her life and views as a teacher. She described how loving a child with special needs "cleansed my perspective as an educator."

"It forces me to hold myself accountable to the same degree and standards of excellence that I demand of each of you," she said, referring to her fellow educators.

Nicholas, who is now 8, goes to Westchester Elementary -- and was on hand yesterday to celebrate his mother's award.