Governor O'Malley Visits Montgomergy County Schools, Continues "Steady Progress for Maryland's Schools" Tour
BALTIMORE, MD (September 3, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley continued his “Steady Progress for Maryland’s Schools” Tour today with a visit to two Montgomery County Public Schools. Traveling to Walter Johnson High School and College Gardens Elementary School this morning, Governor O’Malley was joined by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Dr. Jerry Weast, Superintendent of Montromgery County Schools, and Mrs. Nancy Navarro, President of the Montgomery County Board of Education.
“Over the last two years, we have made a truly historic investment – $741 million – in school construction and renovation, including here in Montgomery County,” said Governor O’Malley. “In 2006, Maryland was ranked 25th in the nation in Education Week’s annual report for public education, but Maryland is now ranked third in the nation for best schools. As a State, we must continue to protect our investments in our schools to ensure that every Maryland child receives a world class education and a better future.”
“I want to thank the Governor for his support for providing substantial resources for school construction not only to Montgomery County but also for the state of Maryland -- under difficult economic conditions,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Governor to meet Montgomery County's educational needs."
During his education tour, Governor O’Malley will meet with students, faculty, and administrators from across the State to discuss the benefits and opportunities created by State investments in education over these past eighteen months. The series of visits will include schools in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties throughout the month of September.
“High student achievement starts with a great teacher in every classroom, access to cutting-edge technology and a school building that provides a great atmosphere for learning,” said Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools. “That's what we're always aiming for and with support from our County and State, that's what our students and families can count on.”
“We appreciate the Governor's support, as we have an enormous need for school construction funding,” said Ms. Nancy Navarro, president of the Montgomery County Board of Education. “We have many aging facilities and a lot of work to do, but with backing from the County and State, we'll be ready to ensure the success of our students well into the future.”
Montgomery County has received over $98 million in school construction dollars over the past two budget cycles, representing an increase of over 240% when compared to the first two budget cycles of the previous administration.
Walter Johnson High School is undergoing a complete modernization project with the help of over $27.3 million in state construction funding. When the project is complete in the school’s 250,000 square foot facility, it will house over 2,500 students. The phased construction project is slated for completion in August 2010. The school serves grades nine through twelve with a core capacity of 2,400 students. Walter Johnson High School is a National Blue Ribbon School.
“Walter Johnson High School has a great tradition of academic excellence and right now we're in the midst of an exciting physical transformation," said Dr. Chris Garran, principal. “It’s an honor for us to host the Governor and the County Executive and to show them the progress that is being made on this exciting modernization, thanks to State and County funding.”
College Gardens Elementary School has undergone the construction of a new 76,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility, which opened in January 2008 to students. In August 2007 College Gardens Elementary became authorized as the first International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programm (PYP) in the State of Maryland, an elementary version of the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) program. College Gardens also has a unique feature in the Chinese Immersion Program they currently offer students. Serving pre-K through grade five with a core capacity of 740 students, the new College Gardens facility is equipped with 35 Promethian “Smart” Boards, an interactive classroom technology that engages students in learning and provides instant resources for learning and teaching.
“Our students, our staff and our parents take such pride in everything about our school community,” said Dr. Albert DuPont, principal at College Gardens Elementary School. "We are extremely proud to welcome Governor O'Malley and County Executive Leggett, and to thank them for this wonderful new facility."
In addition to ranking third in the nation for best schools, according to Education Week, Maryland ranked second nationwide in the percentage of graduating seniors who had passed an AP exam, and in the rate of improvement, according to the College Board’s 2007 report. Maryland also leads the U.S. in improving eighth graders’ math performance. Seventy-four percent of Maryland 8th graders met or exceeded the Basic level on the National Assessment of Educational Progress exam, according to figures released earlier this year. Maryland is also among the top seven states in preparing students for college. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education gives Maryland an A- in college preparation, behind just three states. Earlier this year, the Milken Institute ranked Maryland second in the nation in technology preparedness and first in the nation for human capital investment.
To ensure that every Maryland child receives a world class education, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has made an historic $5.3 billion investment in K-12 education, including $741 million for school construction and renovation so Maryland’s students are not housed in temporary trailers or crumbling classrooms. The O’Malley-Brown Administration also froze state college tuition for a third consecutive year so higher education is accessible to more Maryland families.
In addition to the historic investments for schools across the State, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has:
- Provided funding for the Geographic Cost of Education Index for the first time;
- Established the first-ever Higher Education Trust Fund to stabilize tuition costs for families;
- Increased aid for community colleges by 9% and invested a record $150 million over the last two years in better facilities at community colleges around our State; and
- Created the SEED School – Maryland’s first statewide public boarding school.
