Governor O'Malley Continues "Steady Progress for Maryland's Schools" Tour in Anne Arundel County
Tour includes Ribbon Cutting at Nantucket Elementary School and Visit to the renovated Severna Park Middle School
Anne Arundel County, MD (September 18, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today continued his “Steady Progress for Maryland’s Schools” tour, aimed at highlighting Maryland’s progress and investments in public education, and visited Nantucket Elementary in Crofton, and Severna Park Middle School, both in Anne Arundel County.
“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,” said Governor O’Malley. “The investments we have fought so hard to preserve in public education, public safety, and public health, even with a national economy in turmoil and a national foreclosure crisis, are intended for one purpose only – to strengthen and grow our middle class over the long-term and create a more sustainable future for our children.”
While at Nantucket Elementary, the Governor was greeted by Principal Diana Strohecker. Along with several students and honored guests, he performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which marked the official grand opening of the school. Governor O’Malley also participated in the tree planting service, while Nantucket students sang, “A Song of Peace.” He visited several classes, including a group of first graders participating in a rhythm lesson in the new, acoustically efficient music classroom. He stopped by a fifth grade computer lab, emphasizing the utilization of technology in classrooms. Governor O’Malley also met with a third grade class learning with a wireless integrated microphone and speaker system, designed to keep children focused and engaged during their lessons.
“Nantucket is a wonderful example of what Anne Arundel County and schools across the State can do to bring state-of-the-art technology and cutting edge resources to enhance the learning process for our students,” said Principal Strohecker. “The investments made in our schools and in our State will help ensure a better future for our kids, and each new school and renovation serves as a building block to move forward.”
During his visit at Severna Park Middle School, Governor O’Malley was welcomed by Superintendent of Schools Kevin Maxwell and Principal Sharon Morell. The Governor met with students and teachers, noting the construction taking place. While the Governor’s tour highlighted the improvements being made to the school, he observed how students are not only learning amid the construction upheaval, but are also excelling – the school has consistently had one of the highest enrollments of high school-level mathematics courses and HSA test takers in the state.
“Schools are about children and instruction, and the building facility is merely a vehicle to provide a secure enhancement for instruction,” said Principal Sharon Morell. “We know that learning can occur with a teacher and children outside under a tree, but that would lack security and enhancement such as technology. We are extremely grateful to the Governor and the state of Maryland ‘s support to revitalize our old vehicle to a new high tech vehicle to provide a secure environment to maximize learning.”
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.
Anne Arundel County has received $27.4 million in school construction funds, a combined two-year total of $55.2 million. The total cost of Nantucket Elementary School was $30.3 million, with $5.8 million contribution by the state. The state has committed $17.6 million of state funding to Severna Park Middle School.
With the addition of Nantucket Elementary School in Crofton, the number of public elementary schools in Anne Arundel County has increased to 78. Construction for the facility was completed in July 2008 – just in time for the grand opening this August. The building has modern conveniences and innovations such as a video-linked security system, a separate gym (with a climbing wall) and cafetorium, science lab, SMART Boards in every classroom, computer lab, integrated speakers and wireless microphone systems in every classroom, handheld quiz/ poll machines that provide instant assessment results, and separate before and after-care space for additional school services.
Severna Park Middle School Construction began in April 2008 and is expected to be completed by July 2010. The funding provided by the state will help transform Severna Park Middle School into a modernized facility containing conveniences and innovations such as a video-linked security system, an extensive science lab, SMART Boards in every classroom, updated computer lab, a new cafeteria and music suite, and a courtyard. The school will grow from 162,274 square feet to 193,482 square feet. The addition will improve the school’s main entry, increase the administrative and cafeteria areas, add more classrooms and science classrooms/labs and improve circulation throughout the building.
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.
[ Governor O'Malley Launches "Steady Progress for Maryland's Schools" Education Tour ]
