From Cyrus Etemad-Moghadam:
[Youth’s Benefit Elementary School] has been operating overcapacity for 20 years. The trend is going down. We feel that we should be able to live with the present situation for a few more years until a new school is built. The performance of YBES under this condition shows that the school management have been able to excel despite the conditions. As a result, we have proposed an comprehensive plan to the BOE.
Uppercrossroads families forwarded a plan to the BOE to build YBES as was initially planned in 2008. The school build is in the budget for 2015-2016. The school needs to be replaced. In 2007 the BOE deemed the primary building needed to be demolished and updating the secondary building would be more expensive than building a new one. This new building would provide a long term solution to the extended overcrowding of YBES – which in 2010-2011 which is well below the average enrollment in the past 20 years. For the short term, the school could continue to use the portables (4 are presently used for classrooms, the others are for special programs) until the school is complete. Unlike overcrowding at other schools with no end in sight, this plan works for all of Fallston because the portables can be removed in 5 years. The planned capacity of 1130 would also provide some capacity for fluctuation and new construction.
A positive side effect of the proposed plan is that Jarrettsville can bring all its students back and not have to suffer an excessive increase in enrollment, something the PTA and the school are concerned about. In the end, the plan serves both the Jarrettsville and the Fallston communities, and in the end, the children – which should be the county’s goal.
Over capacity? There’s a young lady who lives on a dirt road off Creswell Rd that sends her two boys to YBES. Why? Because her parents live in Kingsville, she does not. While we could argue about the quality of education provided at YBES versus anywhere else she could send her children – that really doesn’t mean much when she exposes them to criminal elements at home – like her third father of her third child who was on probation for trying to obtain a CDS with a forged prescription. Currently incarcerated. A review of the home residence of the people who send their children to YBES should be conducted. If you allow them to lie to you, you endorse their conduct, and you promote the continued consumption and depletion of resources by people who are not entitled to them. It’s easy: Look it up on MD Case Search, or take a look at the drivers license.
The problem is that while the BOE might like to build a new YBES in a few years it is likely wishful thinking that this will actually happen. Do not look for the county to approve funding for new schools (certainly not forward funding as happened with Red Pump) for quite some time and remember YB is down the list as other schools are in greater need of replacement or renovation.
Where would this new YBES be built? I ask because where would you relocate the students too if it is on top of the old YBES? This plan is simply a self serving plan by someone who just does not want to move.
That’s right….They are just grasping at straws now….
Don’t move my kids. I bought my house here.
Selfish.
Oh ! It is insanely selfish to want a new school, after all the school is only nearly 60 years old. There is no AC in the primary building and in the itermediate building it is 60 degrees in the summertime and we need buckets to catch the condensation !!! Let’s see Asbestos, lead in the water and paint, shall I go on??? I’ll sign off now , because it’s awfully selfish to go and on about things that don’t really matter. You are all right and we are all wrong. Are you happy now?
I went to a high school that was 60+ year old, when I was there in the 70’s. That school is still in use and recently was name a Blue Ribbon school. Towson High routinely scores as one of the best high school in the state. The age of the building has nothing to do with what’s going on inside.
CDEV and Robert if you have something productive to add, I am more than open to your comments and discussions. My kids are done with elementary schools – this is about our COMMUNITY. You seem satisfied that some people – close to the school – have been left out, the “last gasp…”. I am curious if you were in my neighbor’s position if you would have the same comments… I am happy to know that most of the other YBES parts are in support of this plan. They understand community…
Of course the other YBES parents are in favor of a plan that would move kids other than their own.
YBES has had additions and renovations as recently as 1995…Courtenay….exaggerations abound, even in your own posts.
I myself was re-districted in 5th grade….In harford county….no grandfathering clause….I turned out fine. My parents were not worried about their property values and it all worked out in the end.
Grasping at straws….Selfish.
Look at the district as a whole. It is important that all students have an opportunities…not just your own…..To argue that it’s ok for your kids to be in a school that is way over capacity is borderline negligence anyway. Get over yourself.
If I were in your neighbor’s position, I would be hapy my kid was going to Jarretsville Elem. … The test scores there are better anyway.
exactly, 1995 ! Have you been in the school lately? I’m not arguing that the education that my child is recieving is not great. I’m not exagerating when I talk about the abestos, lead ect… hvac units that don’t run effeciantly.
YBES is not grossly over capacity. The numbers are going down yearly. Did you turn out fine??? You seem bitter. From the get go we have defended the rights of all of the schools being unjustly redistricted. So you really should get over yourself and stop being a hater. Such a waste of engery.
It’s pretty obvious from the various threads that sniping, name-calling and bomb-throwing are the frequent tactics of the anonymous. I’d suggest moving on as they are not willing to have an honest and mature discussion on this topic.
If the parents from every community were engaged in this process, discussion and in some cases challenges to the draft, this plan might begin to take on a more logical approach. My perception is that last night might have been an example of county-wide disagreement – finally. We’re hoping that the BOE does consider community integrity among other key factors when making their final decision. Those who remain silent are voicing their consent to the plan – that too is perfectly acceptable and their right.
If I was in your neighbor’s position then I would accept it as the proposal is a reasonable one given the circumstances. I went ot High School in a 1940’s era building and it to is in use today as the base for a structure that has been added onto and remodeled several times over.
The new construction slated for YBES is planned as a connection between the two buildings. No interruption in services or need to relocate students during building, sorry naysayers, I’m sure you’ll find something else so you can continue your verbal assault on YBES and the greater Fallston community.
So enclosing a walkway is going to add capacity? how?
There is a large stretch of land between the two buildings. Plenty enough to build a big, brand new building. Why is it okay that other areas get new/renovated schools but Fallston, nah you’re supposed to just make due. Keep on paying big, fat property taxes so everyplace else can have a clean, healthy, safe school. Not our kids though……
no one said YBES does not need to be rebuilt although you are not eligible, until 30 years after your last state paid renovation. I simply asked if you rebuild YBES where would you do it? and where would you put the kids during that process. It is a relevant question given the above proposal and no one has answered it except for someone who suggested just puttinga covered walk in!
School is being built behind the secondary building. Plans are completed and preliminary work was done in 2008 (field prep). The only impact was the loss of two fields used by the rec and probably a lot of dust at first.
Do not look for any new school construction at YB for at least ten years.
As I already stated, there is a large parcel of land between the two buildings that constitute the YBES complex. There is NOT a walkway. There would be minimal, if not nonexistent interruption of service if a new facility were to be built within the area I’m citing.
Cdev, I’ve come to the conclusion, based on your level of participation and the content, that you just like to debate. No matter what the topic, you consistently contribute to the opposing point. Thanks be to God, our military, and US, the citizenry, we are able to speak and write freely. It’s is important though that when folks do engage in debate the information they are using is accurate……
Agreed everyone has the right to speak their mind
CDEV, you said you would accept the proposal because it was reasonable. Take a drive out to Fallston and check out the areas slated to be moved, then tell me if you believe that it is the most reasonable choice. Then drive futher north and check things out. The bigger picture is that The Northern schools are not going to remain at the capacities that STAC wants because it is a rural area!!! Taking 25 children (which is the actual # not 112, I know this because I know the people in the neighborhoods) is not going to solve or substain the goals of STAC. Those schools will NEVER be where they want them to be. Period. So there really is no whining occuring here, regardless of what some haters think.
I have driven out there and seen the area and timed the time to get to JVES. Now I ask you have you weigheed that against a trailer prak at several schools? When you trully look at the big picture you see the reasonability of this.
Trailer parks??? Are you referring to the portabales? I grew up in NOVA and portables standard these days because of growth. They are a perfectly reasonable solutions to a temporary problem.
And NO , I do not see the “reasonability” in the proposed lines in Fallston. Plain and simple….proximity. Further north there are neighborhoods that are at a half way point aprox. 4. 3 miles from Jarrettsville. we simply are not. the way the bus would take us would be 3X the distance. What do you not understand it that logic?? I find it hard to believe that, you aside , that looking at a map can’t see that this is a line that doesn’t make sense in the long run. Beside the insanity of the line, the numbers are just not correct. 112 vs. roughly 25. That will not help STAC meet there goals.
Yes I am refering to portables as trailer parks. The are designed to be temporary. The problem is at some schools they are becoming permenant. They are not easily secured and lead to other logistical problems beside being an added expense.
You and I just disagree. That is what is great about the country we live in we can do that. I think given the circumstance it is a reasonable solution.
Courtenay,
I tried to clue you in on Cdev with my post about his debating propensity. He or she, I don’t know, will always respond to a comment with the slant of a true commrade. The more upset you get, especially knowing what you’re saying is true, Cdev will just come back at ya. If you can stand the heat and not take Cdev personally, please carry on. I know what you’re saying is accurate. I’ve already been through it, defending Fallston, stating facts, etc., etc.. Cdev always shows up at the party, kind of like an uninvited guest.
I was unaware you needed an invitation to participate ina debate on a PUBLIC forum. If you wanted a private debate with only people you wanted to hear from might I suggest you get together with them and get a private bullitien board or site. There are plenty of those. If you don’t care to hear my opinion you are free to ignore it. Just like I am free to ignore others. I think the essence of debate is a free exchange of ideas. That is what this country was founded on. If you are trying to use comrades in the ense you believe I am a socialist. I would suggest you look at those who are advocating that only certian ideas be expressed.
Courtenay – don’t you see it? CDEV is either a member of STAC trying to justify their errors or just full of ….ehmmmm. So now he’s checking your math and driving the drive from our neighborhoods to the project ES? And I have some ice to sell you!
Those of us who have checked the numbers, including many members of the BOE can see that there are huge disparities from STAC numbers and reality. STAC is making recommendations based on their numbers. This equals a plan based on errors or worse yet, deception. Either way there are still areas that make no sense and we can only implore the BOE to listen to the community input.
Forget about the anonymous drones who just like to argue or those who call anyone who disagrees a “whiner.” I couldn’t imagine what they think is important in their communities if this isn’t? Not a single person should “suck it up” as has been stated without careful consideration. There are certainly parts of the County who are satisfied with the plan in their area. Wonderful. That’s not the case here, nor in a few other pockets slated to be moved. Remember – use the facts. They can voice their opinions but they do not have a right to their own “facts.”
Tom is it so hard to believe that one day on a drive through Fallston when i had time I happened to look downat my odometer and the clock and then drove to another location. I am not a member of the STAC. I am simply saying that globally this plan makes sense. I understand you may not think so. It is great we live in a country where we ALL have the right to our own opinion. You have the right to voice your disapproval of the plan. You also need to understand that others have the right to send their kid to a school and not be in a trailer park when it can be avoided!
Put it this way Mr. Anonymous – nobody but a Harford County bus would take this route to the JES location from our area unless they were killing time…and gas.
Or driving from one location in let us say Joppatowne to a location in Madonna and wished to avoid Bel Air!
When you suggest that STAC is intentionally using false numbers for deceptive purposes you move into the orbit of conspiracy theorists and undermine the potential credibility of anything else you have to say.
I don’t neccesarily think that STAC’s use of incorrect numbers is intentional. I think they are so hell bent on doing the entire at once that they haven’t really taken the time to really review their numbers. They are so far off that it is frightening. I don’t believe that when this is all said and done that STAC is going to have the result that they’d hope for.
Oh I can stand the heat, I know what some of these peoples mojo is ! lol Depending on the day you might catch me in a feisty mood. That all. This site is simply a way to unleash. I’m glad it’s coming to an end.
Cdev, you must be one of my family members. One or another must always have the last word.
Judging by this article’s comments, you must be related to Mr. Lusardi.
Attempts at degrading portables is one of the best jokes we’ve heard yet. Portables have been in use for decades throughout the County – and they have a real positive impact when used judiciously. They are far cheaper that knee-jerk building projects to accommodate temporal increases in student populations. But get serious – the portables that have been used in this County are extremely nice and offer safe, quiet, dry and spacious classroom options. Our kids were in them – students,teachers and parents appreciated the rooms. Most importantly, do you really think the County is going to remove a single portable from any school, no less YBES at the end of this school year? This new plan will not result in reducing the number of units so all of the “wasting my tax dollars” arguments are false. This has been a regular part of the Harford County budget for decades and that should and will continue. We’re simply looking for some hoonesty on this issue – removing portables is not a goal of this draft plan.
A portable is meant to be a temporary solution and not permenant! The problem is they cost extra money to maintain and use then if we used the building space.
Total portable budget is $230k per year for the county – $30K is the cost to move one. Harford county will not move them unless they are obsolete or needed somewhere else. There are 73 portables owned by the county, 5 by the state. Assuming none are moved, cost per portable is $3K.
Portables are built to the latest standards, and include heating and cooling controls, not the schools.
We’re all related by virtue of evolution and the dawn of man.