Four-year plan calls for major upgrades for schools

Dulaney High School is one of the top high schools in the state in terms of academics, but its decades-old water pipes aren't performing as well.

Three times in the past year pipes have burst. In one instance, water filled the orchestra pit in the auditorium during a winter break and ruined musical instruments. In another, the school lobby was flooded and assistant principals joined custodians as they desperately tried to sweep water out the front door while a plumber worked to shut off the flow.

These stories, as well as the lack of air conditioning, the rusted sinks, cloudy windows and cracked tiles, motivated parents Kristin Panousos and Lisa McClellan to begin a campaign to fix the school. With all the other responsibilities teachers and administrators have this year, said Panousos, "I am blown away they are dealing with a building that is crumbling around them."

Dulaney is one of the many school buildings across Baltimore County in need of repairs and upgrades, according to a new report by a consultant for the school board. The assessment rated each of the 173 buildings, giving them a score of one to five. A five was given to just 13 schools, most either built or renovated in the past several years. The majority of schools received a two or a three.

Fourteen schools scored below a two, indicating serious problems. The lowest score, a 1.03, went to Colgate Elementary, in the southeastern part of the county. The 90-year-old building contains asbestos, lacks air conditioning and is on a busy street. The wiring and pipes need replacing, there's no sprinkler system, the corridors are narrow and the lighting is poor, according to the report.

Despite its problems and those at Dulaney, there are no plans to address the deficiencies.

Although the county has committed to spend $1.1 billion to repair and replace schools in the next decade, a good portion of that money will be spent simply trying to keep up with school system enrollment, which has grown by 5,000 students over the past five years.

Many of Baltimore County's elementary schools are bursting at the seams, with trailers accommodating the overflow. According to school system figures, there were 2,900 more students in the elementary schools this year than there were seats or what the state rates the schools to hold.

As in Baltimore, where $980 million will be invested in the next several years for upgrades and renovations to city schools, the county has schools that are aging, lack air conditioning and haven't been updated in years. But unlike the city, which after years of declining enrollment has too many seats, the county faces pressure to upgrade schools at the same time it must build new ones.

The county has built several new elementary schools in recent years in the Towson area, where the overcrowding has been the worst, but more schools need to be added in other fast-growing areas.

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Four-year plan calls for major upgrades for schools