Even the best maintained schools in the City system need some major work. Air conditioning in the county schools--we wish in the city. The number of un-air conditioned schools is enormous and our students deserve that benefit as much as anyone else. Schools should be worked on based upon need not just who lobbies the most. I will retire before I ever see enough work done in my school to make it liveable. We would like windows that the cold air doesn't seep through, doors that lock and pipes that don't leak in the bathrooms. I guess those go to the bottom of the list.

HOW ABOUT WORKING WATER FOUNTAINS THAT ARE SAFE TO DRINK FROM!

Many are repeatedly appalled at the condition of older schools in this state. Always the promise of new while the old crumble around the children’s heads.

Years ago I though it symbolic that the ICC cost over one billion dollars and was approved so 10,000 commuters could cut 15 minutes off their drive to work. Yet for that same billion dollars, 100s of thousands of students could have been provided with better learning environments so that one day they could have an opportunity to work.

Show this states' priorities.

As a teacher in Baltimore City, I could not agree more with the need for updates and renovations to our school buildings. I can only really speak to the issues at my school and in my classroom, but here they are:

In my classroom, only three of my six windows actually open. My classroom used to be much larger, years ago, but before I arrived it was split into two classrooms with a shoddy piece of drywall in between. I can hear everything that goes on next door, and vice versa. I also don't have a light switch or closet (it's on the other side of the wall). Air conditioning? Ha. I have three box fans that I purchased myself. Any teacher at my school who has fans in their classroom did the same (no help from the school at all when it comes to that).

These past few days when it has been 90 degrees have been absolutely awful. Students don't want to do anything, and I can't really blame them.

Also, don't get me started on the mice and roaches... or on the fact that there is only one bathroom for a whole wing of teachers.

I wish more people would visit some of these schools to see what they actually looked like inside.

In my nine years in city schools, I've taught in five different classrooms. Two had working windows, and "working" means they opened six inches and were made of foggy fiberglass.

Our city launched a $50 million bond issue to support the convention center Hilton Hotel. I like that project, but is it really a higher priority than our kids' schools?

Here's a number I'd love to see: the average age of a city school building. Or the average monthly utility bill for one. If you think repairs are costly, try delaying them.

How about a new rule: from now on, all capital improvements on municipal and state buildings come after improvements to school buildings. Delay our leaders' air-conditioning repair and you'd best believe these school improvements will accelerate.

Excessive temperatures, along with inadequate science labs and equipment, broken windows, and leaking pipes, are common complaints that I hear when visiting schools.

This is unacceptable and unconstitutional. City and state leaders need to hear that excellent city school buildings are needed to enhance student progress and revitalize neighborhoods.

The modernization of city schools IS POSSIBLE but city residents and school communities need to demand it.

Please contact the ACLU to get involved with this initiative. We are more than willing to visit your school, talk to your PTA, community group, etc.

ACLU of MD, Education Reform Project
410.889.8555
education@aclu-md.org

Mr. Patinella,
While I agree that these conditions are unacceptable, I am curious about your use of the term "unconstitutional". Can you explain?

I'm not trying to argue with anything, as having been in a Baltimore City classroom for many years, I've also experienced the lack of air conditioning, winter over-heating extreme, no window, mice/roach infestations everyone mentions. It is shameful that the schools are generally low on the list of priorities when education is so important!