Governor O'Malley Visits Howard County Schools, Continues "Steady Progress for Maryland's Schools" Tour
HOWARD COUNTY, MD (September 5, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley continued his “Steady Progress for Maryland’s Schools” Tour today with a visit to two Howard County Public Schools. Traveling to Centennial Lane and Clemens Crossing Elementary Schools this morning, Governor O’Malley was joined by Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, Sydney L. Cousin, Superintendent of Howard County Schools, students, teachers and administrators.
“Over the last two years, we have made a truly historic investment – $741 million – in school construction and renovation, including here in Howard 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 often say that our top-ranked public school system is the engine that drives Howard County, and education is an enormous focus of my Administration,” said County Executive Ulman. “I am fully aware that Governor Martin O'Malley shares that focus. The Governor's record school construction funding is proof of that.”
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 also includes schools in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Harford, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties throughout the month of September.
“We are pleased that Governor O’Malley is interested in how we are spending state construction dollars,” said Superintendent Sydney L. Cousin. “As we shift our focus from building new schools to modernizing our older school facilities, we want to emphasize the importance of funding these projects. These improvements have a direct impact on learning and we welcome the opportunity to show him first hand.”
Howard County has received over $41 million in school construction dollars over the past two budget cycles, representing an increase of over 130% when compared to the first two budget cycles of the previous administration.
The school-wide construction project at Centennial Lane Elementary included renovation to the existing facility and an addition of a 14,000 square foot structure which includes five classrooms, three special education resource rooms, a second art room, an expanded music room, a physical education activity room, and a cafeteria expansion. Total State funding for this project totals nearly $6 million. While visiting Centennial Lane Elementary School, Governor O’Malley heard from the fourth-grade chorus, toured classrooms and renovated spaces, and planted a tree as a symbol of the ongoing progress of the students, which is in need of constant nurturing to survive.
“The students, staff, and parents of the Centennial Lane Elementary School consider it a distinct honor to receive the Governor's visit,” noted Dr. Florence Hu, Principal. “The Centennial Lane learning community is grateful for this much needed expansion. It is timely that with the added classrooms, we are able to accommodate more classes and increased enrollment. We are thankful for the many pairs of caring and supportive hands from the State and County governments that made this tremendous project possible.”
Clemens Crossing Elementary School is currently undergoing a complete renovation of its 57,000 square foot space, including new enclosed classrooms, and upgrades to mechanical, lighting and plumbing systems, scheduled for completion in 2009. A two-classroom kindergarten addition was also constructed with funding from 2007. Total State funding for this project, when complete, will be $5.4 million.
“The whole Clemens Crossing Elementary School community is excited about the Governor's visit to our school,” said David Larner, Principal. “The current changes and those that are planned will continue to make dramatic improvements to the learning environment in our building. The technological advances, enclosed classrooms and more welcoming entryway are a few of the most important upgrades. We are all very grateful for the funding that allowed these renovations to take place.”
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.
