I attended the Jan. 12 Board of Education Hearing on the proposed changes to the Howard County middle school schedule and the elimination of the middle school reading program. The room was packed beyond capacity with educators, students, parents and other community members — all speaking against the changes. These speakers gave well-written and informed testimony which provided research and empirical data to support the continuation of the current middle school reading program and the continuation of the current schedule.
A Patuxent Valley Middle School student gave an especially compelling testimony which detailed the academic disadvantages she faced as an eighth-grader after attending seventh grade in another school system without a reading program.
It was disappointing to hear board Chairwoman Sandra French (who I respect) say that she would hear from "staff" at the Jan. 19 work session. The room was filled with "staff" who are the Howard County Public School System teachers who design and deliver instruction in the classroom every day. The fact that classroom teachers are not considered "staff" whose opinions are valued and supported is an example of what is wrong with the current Board of Education.
Mrs. French owes "staff" an apology.
Ann De Lacy
Columbia