The lack of air conditioning in a large number of Baltimore County school classrooms has one state official hot under the collar.
State Comptroller Peter Franchot said Tuesday that Baltimore County should find the money to install air conditioning in schools that need it.
"In Baltimore County, 54 percent of the classrooms have no air conditioning," Franchot said. "That's a tragedy. In the year 2011, we have kids trying to learn in classrooms and at the end of August the temperatures could be 100 degrees."
The comptroller said during the interview that he expects to comment on the issue of air conditioning in schools during today's Board of Public Works meeting in Annapolis.
Franchot said typically local officials say it is too expensive to install air conditioning in classrooms. The comptroller countered by saying that adding air conditioning is too important not to install.
"It's a health hazard," Francot said, adding that it's unreasonable "to expect kids to sit in these classrooms and be expected to learn in the kind of temperatures we've been having."
Franchot said that while air-conditioned schools were once considered a luxury, they are now almost a necessity.
"If you have any doubt, turn off your air conditioning in your home," Franchot said. "Then, imagine sitting there all day in that room with no air conditioning. In the year 2011, almost everyone has access to air conditioning—except these classrooms."
Last year, the county set aside $10.2 million to install air conditioning systems in 10 county schools— Deep Creek, Glenmar, Harford Hills, Johnnycake, Norwood, Riverview and Randallston Elementary Schools, as well as Old Court and Ridgely Middle Schools and Loch Raven Academy.
Installation at all 10 schools is expected to be finished by the beginning of the school year, which begins at the end of this month.
There is no money in the schools system's current capital budget for installation of air conditioning systems at additional schools.
Ridgely Middle School became somewhat of the poster child for the issue when to install an air conditioning system. Kevin Kamenetz, then a candidate for county executive, used the situation at the school as a campaign issue.
Franchot said he'd like to see school systems such as Baltimore County make an effort to install window units in classrooms.
"All of us have air conditioning—the governor, the treasurer, me, the county executives," Franchot said. "How about the kids? It's a disgrace."
This isn't the first time Franchot has made public comments on the issue of air conditioning in public schools. Earlier this year, he wrote a letter complaining about the lack of air conditioning in a large number of classrooms in Baltimore City and County as well as Garrett County.
He said the jurisdictions could use money earmarked for schools in the recent alcohol tax increase to help pay for units.
"All I've heard is a lot of bureaucratic responses that it's very expensive to purchase central air conditioning," Franchot said. "They have the money."
Let me name a few. Armstrong, Bart, Fuzzy Feeler, you and a host of others. Do you have any idea why I do MY HOMEWORK? The county does not like the idea that I worked there for years. I know too much, and it's not good for business. What do you suggest I do? Am I not allowed to make comments. By the way, teacher, read what I wrote. I'm in favor of AC in the schools and was trying to explain why the schools don't have it yet. You are doing the same thing all of the rest do. It's OK for you to speak your piece but it's a different standard for me. Like I said you spout off before you have all the facts. I was in total support of AC in the schools and because I reminisce and people don't have a clue as to what it means, they think, like you, (or not think) that I'm against it. There is a difference. Get your facts straight. The only reason I'm writing this comment is because you failed to know the subject matter. You come here one time and open you mouth and I'm supposed to jump. I have said this a hundred times, when someone chooses to attack me I will respond. Why don't you join Bart down the Sea Horse. And by the way Bart, I thought you might be someone who might think for themselves, but I guess not.
That's part of the problem. It doesn't matter what you say half the time; your message(s) is/are lost in the these countless, link filled, accusation ridden tirades. You often have valid points, but you can't let them stand on their merits. It is such self-destructively unaware behavior, similar to what happened between you and Lt. Lowe, your most notorious manifestation. You were right, as you sometimes are here. But you don't know how to craft, deliver, and step back from a message. You have one tool in your tool box: the 25 pound sledge hammer. Do you understand that analogy? I didn't "fail to know" anything. I know what you said, and I know what exists. I also don't expect you to "jump" or do anything else. I never suggested you aren't allowed to make comments (I was hoping for more of a "don't monopolize everything" as a general tone). Not everything is an attack; sometimes criticisms serve other ends. And I looked up the Sea Horse (Inn?), why am I supposed to go there? Is that the sentence for anyone who offers a perspective that doesn't fit your contrarian outlook? And as a brief aside, you noted, "I know too much (after asking why you do your "homework", which in and of itself is not a cogent thought, but I digress...)." Remember, those who think they know the most, often know the least.
As regards the Sea Horse Inn, I often refer to "me and the boys at the Sea Horse with our shots, beers and laptops". Yep, that's where you'll find me.
I know the schools need AC. I work as an aide in one. I also know how miserable it is and pray that AC makes it to all the schools, soon. I also know it is a major distraction to all trying to teach and learn. Sure open the windows, so you can blow around all the hot air with the fans that are provided in the rooms. We sometimes hope for a cloudy day so the sun doesn't cook the rooms and we can hope to blow cooler air around. I say bring everyone that sits in AC office into the schools that do not have AC for at least a day and try and get through it with the kids, then make decisions on what is important for the children and staff.
Re-read you introductory sentence teacher: "That's part of the problem. It doesn't matter what you say half the time; your message(s) is/are lost in the these countless, link filled, accusation ridden tirades.". What the heck do you think Armstrong is writing? If you took the time to research you would know. His tirades are laced with some really choice words. It doesn't matter what I say? Since when (after two comments) did someone appoint you senior comment editor? Did you ever take the time to read what Mr. Armstrong writes. You claim to to a teacher of young people and you condone his kind of writing both in content and style. Continually calling people degrading names is a trait you condone? Did you read his last post and look closely at what and how it was written. You are a so called teacher and you don't know how to support your argument? Do you know what, and why links are used? Teacher! Teacher of what? Bart hangs down the SH Inn along with the usual suspects as in where two politicians visit frequently. Between his shoots and beers he probably does what he is told. That sounds about your speed.
Debates can take many different courses as we saw last night in the GOP Presidential Debate. I supported AC in the schools but for some it was more important to attack me. I will not stand by and allow these people to throw mud and stand like a wall and take it. I can and will defend myself. If the county prioritized their budgetary goals away from the constant developing concept, there would be money for this issue.
I know you believe that people are not reading what you write, I for one did. I also believe that others have too. I just really think that the topic is the AC in schools without it, not all the other points that continue to plague this blog. No need to respond to this, I just want the topic to continue about the AC that the schools NEED and nothing else.
I should have adopted your brevity; that's all I meant to say, I'm just rather frustrated with seeing it happen again, and again, and again, regardless of the story.
Why didn't they float bonds years ago to deal with this issue? If they were concerned they would have addressed this health concern and this would be a moot point.
Maybe something else that should be addressed is the fact that all children should receive the same education and educational supplies. A chil's education should not be determined by how much money their parents make..hence "Title 1" schools.Schools that are "title 1" get all the grants and have more to offer the students .
This will require an unified effort from all of those involved and they must be unrelenting. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-school-retreat-20110813,0,1394614.story