CATONSVILLE, MD (January 17, 2008) – Just one day after releasing his FY 2009 budget, Governor Martin O’Malley visited Baltimore County to announce $333 million for school construction in Maryland, including $19.6 million for Baltimore County public schools. Governor O’Malley’s proposed budget also includes $5.3 billion for K-12 public education statewide, an increase of $184 million over last year.
Governor O’Malley joined Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and Baltimore County Superintendent Joe Hairston at Western School of Technology and Environmental Science in Catonsville to make his announcement. During his visit, Governor O’Malley visited with students and toured the school. Western will receive $860,000 to replace portions of the roof and walls at the school.
“Building on the success of last year’s investments in public education and public school construction, we’ve brought a total of $733 million to Maryland public schools to get kids out of learning shacks and into the classroom,” said Governor O’Malley. “Western School of Technology and Environmental Science is one of the finest schools in our state and is essential to preparing students who are interested in technology and environmental science. Just like so many schools throughout our State, Western has many capital needs that must be addressed in the coming years.”
“Too many of our students are still learning in temporary learning shacks and out-of-date buildings,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “We have an obligation to improve our schools and our quality of life for all Marylanders, including those moving here because of BRAC. By investing in state-of-the-art school construction, we will do exactly that.”
Governor O’Malley, Lt. Governor Brown, County Executive Smith, Superintendent Hairston and Principal Jester, other school officials, local elected officials and students, toured the school and stopped in classrooms such as Health, Environmental Technology, and Environmental Science, along the way.
“I am very pleased with Governor O'Malley’s continued support for school renovation and construction funding,” stated Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith. “Education is a major priority for local leaders across the State, and these funds will make a real difference for children in every school district.”
Building on a $400 million investment last year for school construction, the FY 2009 capital budget includes $333 million for new schools and school renovation projects in local jurisdictions. The budget includes an increase of $184 million for K-12 Education, including an unprecedented $75.8 million for the Geographic Cost of Education Index. The FY 2009 budget also invests $34.4 million in Supplemental Grants to ensure all jurisdictions receive an increase over last year, $55.3 million to increase Teacher Retirement payments to $622 million, and $2 million for the new SEED school.
Western School of Technology and Environmental Science opened in 1970, originally offering ten vocational programs to students from three high schools. In 1975, an addition was built and the number of programs increased to 20. Western was converted to a magnet school in 1993 and continued its focus on career programs, adding an environmental science program whose career required a college degree. The 42-acre campus is located in the southwest area of Baltimore County and offers a butterfly observatory garden, an urban forestry site, a watershed management center, a wetland, an outside classroom, a mature hardwood forest, and a student-managed master floral and herb garden.