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Maryland lawmakers announce funding for Allegany and Garrett County improvements

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Barbra Mikulski and Ben Cardin, along with U.S. Rep. John Delaney (all D-Md.) announced that $900,000 dollars combined was awarded to Allegany County access road improvements and the Garrett County Memorial Hospital in Oakland for the Department of Health and Human Services Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) received $700,000 of the funding to improve three sections of access roads serving the North Branch Industrial Park in Cumberland, Md. This will be used to make improvements for approximately 1.6 miles of roads including southeast Mexico Farms Road, Burbridge Road and Pittsburgh Plate Glass Road.

“Investing in upgrading and expanding our infrastructure is at the heart of job creation in this country,” Cardin said. “Western Maryland is quickly becoming a new hub for high-tech business. ARC grants go a long way in creating jobs and opportunity in the region, and I will continue to support initiatives to ensure growth in Allegany County.”

BEACON STUDY FINDS THAT GCPS HAS LOCAL ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF $68 MILLION

The operation of Garrett County Public Schools generates an estimated economic impact of $67.91 million annually within the county, a study unveiled to the Board of Education today shows.
The study, conducted by the Business Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) at Salisbury University, examined four factors: the economic and employment impact of school system operations, the economic value of degrees awarded, the impact of the school system on economic development, and the school system’s role in the reduction of public costs such as crime, healthcare, and welfare. Among its other conclusions, the study also found that every dollar in operational budget spending results in total local spending of $1.42, and every dollar in capital budget spending results in $1.41 in total local spending and $1.80 in total spending in Maryland.
In recent years, GCPS has annually graduated students who will realize an additional lifetime earnings of approximately $28.89 million (estimated total present value). The present value of the county income tax to be paid on these additional earnings is approximately $536,000 per graduating class.
“This study quantifies what we have long known – the Garrett County Public School System has an immense impact on the local economy,” Mr. Matthew Paugh, Garrett County Board of Education President, stated.  “While the value of an educated population and trainable workforce goes beyond dollars and cents, the report demonstrates that funding of our local schools provides a substantial return on investment.”

Franchot: Petition backs post-Labor Day school start

Support in the form of 13,240 Marylanders’ signatures keeps the ball rolling on a push by Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) to get schools in Maryland to start after Labor Day.

School officials in Calvert County and elsewhere in the state say decisions on start times should remain local. In Calvert, the first day of school after the summer break this year would be Aug. 25 as things stand now.

The “Let Summer Be Summer” campaign picked up steam when a governor’s task force recommended in May 2014 that Maryland public schools delay opening until after Labor Day, while continuing to end classes in mid-June.

Read More Here:  http://www.somdnews.com/article/20150121/NEWS/150129772/franchot-petition-backs-post-labor-day-school-start&template=southernMaryland

Hogan supports effort to start school after Labor Day

……….Proponents say a later start would give families an additional week of summer to spend at the beach or Deep Creek Lake, attend the Maryland State Fair or simply spend money at Maryland businesses — and produce additional tax revenue. The Bureau of Revenue Estimates projects a post-Labor Day start would boost economic activity by $74.3 million and contribute $7.7 million in revenue to state and local coffers.

Hogan became the 13,244th signer of the petition. He joins Gov. Martin O’Malley, who added his name at a Board of Public Works meeting last year.

 

Read More Here:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/bs-md-hogan-labor-day-20150115-story.html

Petition says start school after Labor Day

Annapolis, MD — Comptroller Peter Franchot, joined by Governor-elect Larry Hogan, Ocean City Mayor Richard W. Meehan, state Senator James N. Mathias Jr., and other elected officials, as well as small business owners, educators and tourism officials, today enthusiastically thanked Marylanders for their overwhelming support of his petition drive to start public schools after Labor Day. More than 13,240

Marylanders from every corner of the state signed the “Let Summer Be Summer,” petition, far exceeding the 10,000 signature goal.  The campaign kicked-off last August on the Ocean City Boardwalk and Deep Creek Lake, and today the list of supporters will be presented to members of the Maryland General Assembly.

“This is a grassroots, citizen-driven effort that has gathered tremendous support from all across our great state,” said Comptroller Franchot. “13,244 Marylanders have sent a clear message that starting school after Labor Day will give families, students, teachers and small businesses the break they need – and deserve. It gives students time to learn life lessons beyond the classroom, teachers time to recharge their batteries and small businesses much needed help during tough economic times. I am confident we can make this meaningful adjustment and continue to end the school year in early to mid-June.”

Read More Here:  http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0115/petition-says-start-school-after-labor-day.html

Garrett County Public Schools updates website

Users can sign up for press releases

For the Cumberland Times-News

Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — Garrett County Public Schools recently launched a new website that features an updated look with better menu options and an easy-to-use navigation bar located at the top of the home page.

The new site is located at www.garrettcountyschools.org or users will be redirected if logging into the former website www.ga.k12.md.us.

It features popular web links under the Resources section located on the left-hand side of the home page and a rotating slideshow of pictures featuring Garrett County Public Schools students, staff and events.

Also featured on the home page are recent items of interest for parents, students, staff and the community. This includes press releases and the latest school system news. Website visitors can also sign up to receive press releases by email, which feature student and staff accomplishments and general informational items. To sign up for press releases, look for the Stay Connected section on the lower right-hand side of the home page and enter an email address.

The website will still be used as a primary notification tool when any changes in the school schedule occur. Located at the top of the home page is a search function users can select when looking for specific information on the site. The site also has a Contact Us form for users to send comments or questions to Public Information staff.

The Contact Us form is located at both the top and bottom of the homepage.

More here.

More fun in sun urged for schoolchildren

By Matthew Cella

The Washington Times

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Listen up, Maryland public schools — state Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot has a bone to pick with you.

Mr. Franchot, a Democrat, kicked off a campaign last week urging schools not to start their academic years until after Labor Day in order to help increase revenue for some of the state’s popular tourist spots.

At a Board of Public Works meeting, the outspoken comptroller lamented how school districts in recent years have asked students and teachers to report earlier. The start of school has been pushed up from around Labor Day to a full one or two weeks before the first Monday in September.

Schoolchildren may not have been thrilled with this development, but Mr. Franchot said the biggest losers might be business owners in tourist-heavy areas such as Ocean City, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor or Western Maryland’s Deep Creek Lake whose busy seasons seem to get shorter every year.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

877-563-5350 – toll free

Fifth-graders move up a year early under proposal

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — In addition to calling for the closing of several elementary schools, the Garrett County Board of Education’s five-year plan outlines the reconfiguration of fifth-grade students into middle schools. The reconfiguration is being considered because of reduced space, staff and “related arts,” according to Sue Waggoner, interim superintendent of schools.
“The reconfiguration will provide the maximum effective use of staff and space while providing students optimum educational programing,” said Waggoner. “The reconfiguration will afford fifth-graders the opportunity to participate in foreign language, tech education classes and allow them to experience more than they have at the elementary school.”
A presentation on the reconfiguration will be held Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Southern Middle School. After the presentation, the board will take public comment followed by possible action on the recommendation.
Rebecca Gordon, a Finzel resident whose child is a fourth-grader at Route 40 Elementary, attended the Jan. 10 board meeting and questioned if the board had done any research on how the reconfiguration would impact the fifth graders academically and behaviorally. Gordon said that she wasn’t provided with an answer.
Fifth- and sixth-graders would be on a separate lunch schedule from the other grade levels, so there would be no interaction with the older students, explained Waggoner. They would also have pods to separate them from the rest of the grade levels.
Gordon noted that studies done by Harvard, Duke and Johns Hopkins universities indicate that students fare better if they are left in a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade setting.
In her research, Gordon did come across a study where the reconfiguration was completely successful, but she noted that at this school the fifth-graders were in a different building than the rest of the middle-schoolers.
“We just don’t have the resources to do that,” said Gordon, noting that it would be impossible to separate the students completely while they are in the same building.
Gordon suggests that elementary schools remain open as kindergarten through eighth grade.
Many parents who attended the January board meeting were concerned about bullying, according to Gordon.
“There is bullying going on now in the middle school. In fifth grade, kids still have SpongeBob lunch boxes and they are going to go to the middle school and get made fun of,” said Gordon.
Other concerns of Gordon’s include the lunch schedule and the fact that fifth-graders are going to be riding the bus with eighth-graders.
“I’m also concerned with the fact that there is no recess, especially with obesity rates climbing,” said Gordon.
The fifth-graders will be eating lunch at 10:50 a.m. with no snack, according to Gordon. In her child’s case, that means an extra hour wait to eat because of the hour-long bus ride from school to home.
“This will mean bigger class sizes, loss of jobs and a lot of disruption to our kids,” states a petition started by Elizabeth Hebden to stop the closing of Dennett Road Elementary.
“I feel it is unreasonable to send fifth-graders to the middle school, they will miss out on experiences of being the fifth-graders,” wrote Michelle Riggleman on the online petition.
Gordon also opposes the Dennett Road Elementary closing.
“I understand that Kitzmiller and Friendsville schools need to close because the numbers are just not there. But the numbers for the Dennett school are there,” said Gordon.
Hebden, an Oakland resident, started a petition on Change.Org to keep the school open and she opposes the reconfiguration. With 511 signatures so far, the petition appeals to the board, county commissioners, Gov. Martin O’Malley, the state Senate and House of Delegates, Delegate Wendell Beitzel and Sen. George Edwards to keep the school from closing.
Gordon is encouraging everyone to attend Tuesday’s meeting.
“I’m asking that every parent, grandparent, aunt and uncle please attend this meeting. It’s affecting our children’s future,” said Gordon, who plans on speaking at the meeting. “I want my children to have a voice.” 
For more information on the petition, visit the website http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-md-keep-dennett-road-elementary-school-open-and-pk-5.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

877-563-5350 – toll free

Intel Foundation Lists Crellin Elem. Among Nation's Most Innovative

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by Kyle Lantz

Crellin Elementary School is set to receive a $10,000 grant and $100,000 in donated equipment and professional resources from the Intel Foundation. This award comes after Crellin Elementary joined just six other schools from across the country to be named as one of the 2011 Intel Schools of Distinction.

Through this award, the Intel Corporation, which partners with sponsoring companies to distribute around $1 million in grants and awards each year, recognizes schools for the implementation of innovative math and science programs.

Crellin was chosen along with 17 other finalists to attend Intel’s award ceremony last week (Sept. 20) in Washington, D.C., where winners were announced. Representing Garrett County at the ceremony were school system administrators and Crellin Elementary teachers, including the school’s principal, Dr. Dana McCauley.

“It was really a humbling experience and a privilege to be able to join the other finalists in D.C.,” McCauley stated. “We met with so many excellent educators and were inspired by all of their stories.”

After a visit to Capitol Hill and a Tuesday-night gala event, Crellin Elementary was honored for its “extraordinary commitment to educational excellence and innovation,” winning for its performance in mathematics.

“Improving math and science education is one of the critical issues we see facing the United States if it is to compete effectively in a global economy,” says Wendy Hawkins, executive director of the Intel Foundation.

“It is encouraging to see examples of such excellence from across the country. These schools launch their students on a path to lifelong learning with programs that are rich, exciting and demanding.”

The Intel Foundation chose its winners based on its criteria of extraordinary commitment to instituting 21st century teaching and learning environments, as well as the implementation of innovative programs that inspire students to excel in the areas of math and science.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

877-563-5350 – toll free

>Support what works for our state’s schools

>To the Editor:

Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Tue Jun 07, 2011, 09:22 PM EDT

— I recently returned from another leg in my education listening tour of Maryland, hosting my fourth and fifth roundtables in Allegany and Garrett counties to talk to educators and parents about what is working and what isn’t in the way the federal government works with rural schools.

I’ve always said the best ideas come from the people. And when it comes to education, one size doesn’t fit all.

Maryland’s schools are No. 1 in the country. But, as Congress gets ready to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), I’m listening to superintendents, principals, teachers and parents from all over Maryland so I can take their ideas back to Washington and make our schools even better.

As a senior member of the Senate’s committee on education and the chair of the Subcommittee on Children and Families, I am fighting on behalf of Maryland’s children, parents, teachers and administrators to make sure the ESEA reauthorization encourages meaningful community engagement, high expectations for students, and rigorous and fair accountability for schools.

I started my education tour in Easton in March, where I met with the superintendents of nine counties to hear about the challenges they face as rural administrators. Then, after a stop in Baltimore to see wrap-around services at work, I met with teachers and parents at a Charles County Judy Center to hear about community schools and the integration of early-childhood services into elementary education.

Most recently, I sat down with educators, students and parents at the Allegany Career and Technology Center in Allegany County and heard about the unique needs of the county’s school system. I also visited the award-winning Garrett Engineering and Robotics Society (GEARS) to hear about how Garrett County is preparing its students for careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

At all of my roundtables, we talked about how the current legislation works, how it hurts and how it must be reformed. I want to make sure the ESEA I reauthorize is helping schools improve student outcomes, not creating a barrier to success.

What I’ve heard time and time again is that rural school districts are more likely to have trouble recruiting teachers and have limited numbers of staff in their district offices compared to urban districts – making it more difficult for them to meet ESEA requirements or compete for grants. Yet, our rural schools are doing a great job of educating students.

I’ve also heard that teachers and administrators want to be held accountable – but they want to be held accountable for student progress, not for meeting an arbitrary benchmark. Superintendents want the resources to provide quality professional development for teachers and principals. Rural schools are also facing challenges in competing for federal grant funding.

Students and teachers in our rural communities need flexibility and funding they can count on, not more unfunded federal mandates. I will continue to fight in the U.S. Senate to make sure all children — including those in our rural communities — have the tools they need to succeed.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.

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