Parents go to County Council to get change in school policy
My colleague, Mary Gail Hare, provided the following post:
Baltimore County parents, frustrated with a lack of response from school administrators, took their pitch for more accessibility to school facilities to the Council Council Monday. They demanded a reversal of school policy that prevents them from holding fundraisers, community meetings, even some student gatherings in school buildings.
"In this economy and in the face of budget cuts, now is not the time to ban safe and successful parent group-sponsored craft fairs and flea markets," said Leslie Weber, PTSA president at Loch Raven High, which received a one-year waiver and will hold its craft fair on March 26.
Sixteen speakers each delivered the message that the buildings are taxpayer financed and owned and should be open to the public as long as the proper safeguards are in place. Although the council has no authority over the board of education, members can advocate for their constituents.
Alice Rhodes, a parent at Timonium Elementary and a craft vendor who lost a spot when school officials canceled the Dulaney High fair last fall, even brought props - a pizza box, wrapping paper and a candle. "If the craft fairs no longer take place, the PTA will be forced to increase its direct donation and direct sales programs," Rhodes said. "Children will be forced to go door to door to sell merchandise to strangers. How much overpriced wrapping paper, pizza and junk imported from China can we buy?"
The speakers also referenced canceled fundraisers for long established charities such as Toys for Tots. The most telling denial of use came from a mother of a child with Down's Syndrome. Her daughter and several other students with disabilities met after classes at their high school once a month, until officials canceled the gatherings. A private school immediately offered the students space to continue meeting.
The school board has scheduled a review of the facilities policy at its retreat March 19.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
Maybe while they're looking at stupid policies that negatively affect our schools, the County Council would like to look at why the high school marching bands are being kicked off of practice fields by the Rec and Parks department.
Franklin High School's football team was in the state championship game this fall, and its marching band could not perform a field show at halftime of any game, nor march in any parade, not even the home Reisterstown Festival Parade, because Rec and Parks would not allow them to practice on school grounds.
Shame on everyone who was involved in denying those band students a thrilling life experience.
Sun reporters, please look into this when you can. Sunshine is always the best disinfectant for these things.
Posted by: Sad FHS Alum | March 8, 2011 12:31 PM
Meh, who cares? It's the band after all. There are bigger issues to worry about than whether a band gets to practice or perform. Let's make sure the athletes can continue to do their thing!
Posted by: Meh | March 8, 2011 1:16 PM