If we had to pick two words to sum up last night’s meeting at Rodgers Forge Elementary, it would be these:
“Absolutely, probably.”
That was the response from Erin Roberts, the county executive’s education liaison, when asked if the county would begin funding a construction project now to help alleviate Towson’s overcrowding problem.
The response reminded us of something out of a George Orwell novel: A government content to provide answers that — in fact — are both contradictory and nonsensical.
That is what we heard the entire evening. A chorus of ineptitude and small thinking from officials so beaten down by Baltimore County’s backward school system that they’ve forgotten how to think outside their box.
From the crowd of nearly 300 parents — many of them professionals used to expecting accountability and results — came some very good suggestions. But each time someone in the audience stood up, the county representatives shot them down.
Can we move forward with the Mays Chapel plan and re-open Ruxton Elementary? Answer: No.
Can we re-open the former Towson Elementary school, which currently houses a senior center? Answer: No.
Can we buy a portion of the YMCA’s land, which has been up for sale? Answer: No.
There was such a lack of flexibility in their approach that you begin to wonder if the needs of children in this county simply come last.
Yet despite our frustration with school officials last night, we almost have to pity them. For any solution they propose must be funded. And the one person who holds the purse strings has made it clear he’s not interested. Jim Smith — the “renaissance county executive” — smugly holds on to the people’s money, as if building a school were some kind of extravagant, pork-barrel expense.
If Mr. Smith would take a leadership position on this issue, he could still be a hero to all of Towson. With the same hand that put the finishing touches on a $70 million prison in our neighborhood, he could open the door to a new school. And yet he seems satisfied to finish out his term hiding behind transparently false statements that he is “working hard” on solving this problem. He is not.
His liaison, Ms. Roberts, last night seemed to regard our community’s letters and phone calls to the county executive as a major annoyance. In a discussion after the meeting, she suggested that all we are doing is stirring up trouble. We might refer her to this organizational chart on the county executive’s website, which lists “voters” at the very top — above the county executive himself.
And so we will persist, increasing both our voice and our numbers, until the county does not just what is right but what is obvious. Towson cannot be home to three of the top five overcrowded schools forever. Something has to give.
Or rather, someone.
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Has anyone investigated formaldehyde and mold levels in these portable classrooms?
I am new to this and I hope I am not bringing up an issue that has already been investigated. However, due to the recent issues hurricane Katrina victims are facing with their government supplied modular living spaces, (http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/02/14/fema.trailers.ap/index.html?eref=rss_health ) I thought I would list information found on portable classrooms.
According to Thad Godish Ph.D., C.I.H, the construction and sitting, and climate control of portable classrooms is in fact very different from permanent classroom spaces. For example, floors in portables are made from wood materials such as oriented-strand board, CDX plywood, and likely in some cases particleboard. This differs considerably from the concrete floors that are typical of permanent classrooms. Wood materials bonded with adhesives are more likely to emit volatile organic compounds than concrete flooring. In some cases that may mean exposures to significant levels of formaldehyde. Resultant formaldehyde levels may be sufficient to cause mucous membrane symptoms and general symptoms such as headaches and fatigue.
Also, mold exposure, inadequate ventilation, and/or exposure to elevated levels of formaldehyde can cause other health issues to building occupants, particularly very young children, whose exposure is greater because of their relatively small body mass.
Fact: Modular Classroom, relocatables, Portable classrooms… whatever you want to call these prefab structures, are not built to be permanent structures. These are low cost, temporary solutions.
I think Baltimore County should start investing in permanent structures for our children and teachers, rather than having to hire attorneys to fight class action law suits related to health issues from these portable structures in the future.
It does need to be repeated…our children and teachers deserve better.
References and Resources below
• Collaborative for High Performance Schools
• California Advisory on Relocatable and Renovated Classrooms
• California Portable Classrooms Study
• IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit. Hardcopy available from U.S. EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse, 1-800-438- 4318.
• Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers. Superintendent of Documents 202-512-2250.
• Builder’s Guide for Mixed-Humid Climates. Energy and Environmental Building Association and Building Science Corporation. 2001. www.eeba.org
• Indoor Air Quality / School Facilities Documents. (a set of 15 documents, such as “Maintaining Acceptable IAQ During the Renovation of a School”, “Maintenance of HVAC systems and IAQ in Schools”), Maryland State Department of Education, Schools Facilities Branch 410-767-010
What has Joe Hairston said about the problem? He seems to be incredibly silent. Isn’t he supposed to be the leader of BCPS? He should be standing up for students and teachers but he is showing his lack of leadership once again. Has anyone taked to him??? Isn’t he supposed to advocate for the system. I think his only advocacy is to his new contract. Its about the students Dr. Hairston!