On September 19, 2017, the County Executive announced funding for two new high schools in the central and central northeast areas of the County. It was announced that one new school will be located in the Towson area. The details regarding the second school will be determined after a needs study is conducted by the Baltimore County School System in the central northeastern part of the County. However, earlier this month, the Baltimore County Board of Education voted unanimously to add planning money for a new Dulaney High School, which is located in the central northeast corridor, in the upcoming Budget Request from Baltimore County Government.
I thank the County Executive for listening to community leaders and elected officials who represent these areas, and for listening to me in our meetings and correspondence about this issue. The potential construction of a new Dulaney High would be a smart and responsible move by the County and BCPS because it would provide a 21st century learning environment for future students for an overcrowded school that is in dire need of replacement.
The events of the past week, including a live electrified fence surrounding the upper athletic fields at Dulaney due to aging electrical infrastructure, only reinforces the immediacy and necessity of a new school. Much of my day last Friday was spent speaking with officials from BCPS and Baltimore County in trying to ensure the safety of students and the public. BCPS has worked through the weekend to make repairs to the fields. While they confirm the danger has abated, as of early Tuesday evening, the fields and the stadium remain closed.
As far as I am concerned, the sooner a new school is built, the better.
Lastly, I want to stress that this effort is far from over. While this funding proposed by the County Executive would go a long way in realizing this vital project, we need to continue to engage with the Administration and the School Board to ensure that this money will indeed go to Dulaney. I will continue to work with leaders in the Dulaney Community, Members of the School board, and the current Administration to secure this priority.
~ Wade