It is encouraging that the Board will review Rule 1300 - and it is vital that they do so quickly. The many groups denied permission and/or access by BCPS cannot wait for months to organize and schedule their activities while the Board deliberates. We will lose these groups in our schools- and for some of them, such as the support group for children with Down's syndrome, or the Baltimore Antique Bottle Club, where no fundraising was involved on school property, a review of leasing to private vendors is irrelevant.

Moreover, the information present by Michael Sines and his staff is not the entire truth. For example, Harford County has extensive provisions for partnerships with both for-profit and non-profit groups charging admission, so that both the groups and the schools will benefit from events.

Mr. Sines has done a great disservice to the Board with his report on Feb. 8 on Rule 1300, and with his on Saturday. yesterday. The Board would be well advised to no longer consult with him and his staff for comprehensive information on how to review BCPS policies, whether on Rule 1300, or on another unfolding debacle, the delays in bidding on and installing air conditioning in the 10 schools slated to receive funding last year.

I wonder how much revenue the schools and PTSAs receive from hosting craft fairs and other events on their grounds? Would the BOEd be willing to cut several positions at Greenwood and hand the savings over to schools so they would no longer need to supplement their budgets in order to buy technology, upgrade low-end computers, and pay for other educational needs?

It is encouraging that they will review their position on Rule 1300. I just hope it is not merely lip service and they don't drag this out like they did with the Baltimore Sun's salary request for new Deputy Superintendent, Renee Foose. It took one month for them to retrieve the information from their computer records. Really??

It simply amazes me that the county continues to take things away or put restrictions on things that are done in order to just provide a better learning experience for the kids. Really...what does it matter that people are coming on to the school property to sell their products when overall it is the school that is benefiting in the end. Our PTA craft fair is our biggest fundraiser and to take that away would be a huge disservice to our school. I honestly don't see why this needs to even be an issue when this county has "bigger fish to fry" like focusing on how they can save the jobs of many high school teachers who are being excessed this year.

It is great to hear that the Board is considering revising Rule 1300 to allow PTA-sponsored Craft Fairs again.

I hope very much that they will also consider allowing many other school and community events back in that have been denied one by one over the years such as events sponsored by Booster Clubs, neighborhood associations, non-profit organizations, and clubs. As long as these groups are not holding events involving risky behavior, I see no reason they should be prevented from using our taxpayer supported public schools for worthwhile community events and meetings.

BCPS needs to allow schools to become the heart of our community again.

If you believe our school board in Baltimore County should be more responsive, consider joining the facebook group "Citizens for an Accountable Baltimore County School Board" (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=327032815811)

It seems that this superintendent and board respond only to pressure...they do not just do the right thing independent of being "caught." It may be that Mr. Sines is the designated scapegoat. Remember that once caught, Joe Hairston takes responsibility for nothing. Believe me, there is not one soul at Greenwood who does not follow directions from him. Everyone goes along or they move along. NO one is allowed to tell the truth. There simply must be a change in leadership if anything is going to get better. We need board members who will do the work on behalf of the families of Balt. Co. not Joe Hairston, Dezmon, American Reading Company Employees, Science Weekly President, assesTrax ties, etc. etc. Don't be pacified because they "relent" and let the people have a craft fair. That will be a ploy to divert attention from their many unethical practices. I hope this right choice will only be a beginning. Hold them accountable.

It is encouraging that they will review their position on Rule 1300. I just hope it is not merely lip service and they don't drag this out like they did with the Baltimore Sun's salary request for new Deputy Superintendent, Renee Foose. It took one month for them to retrieve the information from their computer Êrecords. Really??

It was very gratifying to read that the Baltimore County Board of Education will review Rule 1300 and its consequences for PTAs, Booster Clubs, and other community groups (Sun article, March 20). But so far, the Director of Physical Facilities, Michael Sines, has not provided either sound information or informed opinion to help the Board with such a review. For example, while Sines and his staff cited Harford County as one of several counties that do not sublease to private vendors, he neglected to mention that Harford County provides for fund-raising in schools even by for-profit groups, as long as there is a partnership arrangement with the school, so that both will benefit. Similarly, Mr. Sines’ counterpart in Howard County, Chuck Parvis, has publicly stated that in more than 30 years, fears of liability have not materialized from non-profit group-sponsored craft fairs, recycling events, daycare, and other programs.

Mr. Sines has also expressed concern about the wear and tear on school facilities, and that BCPS needs to make “informed decisions” about the use of schools by other groups. Fear of wear and tear doesn’t keep us from using our kitchens and bathrooms, and shouldn’t keep us from using our school facilities. We hope that Mr. Sines will re-examine his anxieties regarding the damage that could be caused by annual weekend craft fairs and flea markets, meetings of a support group for children with Down’s syndrome, and a Dumpster Day in a school parking lot, to name a few events denied by BCPS. Like homes, schools are meant to be used, and Maryland state law requires that County boards encourage the use of public schools, funded by all taxpayers, by community groups during non-school hours.