Closing Schools

The upcoming scheduled closing of many Baltimore City Schools in June is a great concern to the students and the staff of these schools. The high schools designated to close are Homeland Security Academy, Samuel L. Banks, and Thurgood Marshall. Some of these schools offered a unique curriculum which will not be duplicated in another school. All of the staff of the schools that are closing must submit a volunteer transfer form or attend the Job Fair scheduled for May 9th. Any school that is closing received a notice from the central office to start packing. Many schools have not started packing because their shipment of boxes has not arrived.
With the looming lay off of 179 people from the central office, the staff of closing schools is concerned with competing for the vacant positions in other schools. Rumors of “bumping” are spreading. “Bumping” would allow a person with more seniority to take a position from someone with less seniority. If at least 130 of the persons to be laid off come back into schools, this should be a concern for the staff of all schools. Most of the persons scheduled to be released from their central office position have more than 20 years of service to BCPSS. The morale of the faculty at all of the schools identified to close is low but yet, they are expected to continue to work diligently to have their students pass the scheduled assessments and make AYP.

Schools Closing

In the upcoming weeks, the budget proposal for next year will be decided upon. Dr. Alonso has proposed a specific budget cut, which will close several schools, but expand others, and some will move to new locations. My school, Dr. Samuel L. Banks High School, is one of the ones that is going to be disappearing. This school is a neighborhood school. A lot of students come here, because it is closest for them. For seniors who are graduating, this won't pose much of a problem. However, for other students, this means they must apply to attend another high school. But the nearest high school for some of these students is quite far. What is upsetting is that Dr. Alonso keeps talking about bringing the kids back in to the schools and the fact that he is closing my school and the school we are housed with, Thurgood Marshall, is going to discourage a lot of students. Students are showing that they do not care due to the fact that they hear their school will no longer be in existence.
The one glimmer of hope I see is in some of my art students. Regardless of what is happening next year, I am still letting the art club and some select students leave their mark in the building—drawing designs on the cabinets and walls. The designs some of these students have come up are very interesting. But for some of these students, that little thing is bringing them to school—the chance to leave their mark.