Carroll school staff will present the Board of Education today with a five-year plan for school improvement, culled from the recommendations of a 70-member task force of parents, teachers, administrators and others.
A staff committee has reviewed the task force's recommendations, which included reducing the student-teacher ratio, strengthening math skills, and promoting a strong working relationship with parents and the community.
The recommendations, unveiled last fall, were prioritized by the board before the staff's review.
Superintendent R. Edward Shillinghas said he wants to implement a five-year improvement plan, beginning July 1.
At the meeting, Brian Lockard, assistant superintendentof instruction, will announce Carroll's Teacher of the Year, selected from nominations from parents, teachers and administrators.
In selecting the Teacher of the Year, a committee reviewed each nominee'sphilosophy of education, professional and community involvement.
Four Liberty High School graduates who served in the Persian Gulf Warwill lead the pledge of allegiance at the meeting, which begins at 9a.m. at Liberty in Eldersburg.
WATER SYSTEM FLUSHED
DATELINE: WESTMINSTER
WESTMINSTER -- The City Department of Public Works Water Department personnel will be flushing the water system 7 to 11 p.m. May 13, 14 and 15.
Residents may experience low pressure or slightly dirty water.
Affected areas will be Furnace Hills, Wakefield, Avondale and Carroll Lutheran Village.
PARKING IS RESTRICTED
DATELINE: WESTMINSTER
WESTMINSTER -- The City Department of Public Works will restrict parking along West Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue today and tomorrow to plant trees along those streets.
The affected areas are:
* West Main Street: eastbound (south side), 5 a.m.- 5 p.m. today; and westbound (north side), 5 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow.
* Pennsylvania Avenue: southbound (west side), 5 a.m.- 5 p.m. today; and northbound (east side), 5 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow.
Residents should notethat these times and dates are in addition to the regularly scheduled parking restrictions for street cleaning. The difference is that NoParking will be enforced for the entire business day, rather that just early morning hours as normal.
SPEAK OUT ON BUDGET
DATELINE: WESTMINSTER
WESTMINSTER -- The Carroll County Commissioners will sponsor two public information sessions on the county's fiscal year 1992 proposed budget from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow in Room 300A of the County Office Building, 225 N. Center St.
The commissioners and Management and Budget Department staffs will be available to answer questions on the proposed spending plan.
The commissioners will have a public hearing on the proposed budget at 7:30 p.m. May 16 in the auditorium of Westminster High School, 1225 Washington Road.
Anyone wishing to speak at the hearing must register in the lobby at 6:45 p.m. The record will remain open for written comments for 10 days after the hearing.
The commissioners will adopt the fiscal 1992 budget, which is effective July 1, at 2 p.m. May 30 in Room 300A of the County Office Building.
A sign interpreter for hearing impaired citizens will be available at the public hearing.
PAY THOSE TAXES NOW
DATELINE: WESTMINSTER
WESTMINSTER -- Carroll County residents with unpaid real property tax bills are reminded that May 17 is the deadlinefor taxes to be paid before additional fees will be assessed.
After that date, the cost of a title exam, up to $165 per account, will be added to tax bills. Title examination is required so that other parties interested in a property other than those listed on the tax roles can be notified of the sale.
In addition, advertising costs associated with giving notice of the sale must be paid with the taxes and will be assessed as of May 17.
Information: 857-2030.
MAINTAIN SEPTIC SYSTEMS
DATELINE: BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE -- Maryland Secretary of the Environment Robert Perciasepe reminded all county septic system owners that spring is an ideal time to ensure that their systems are environmentally safe.
"About one in five Marylanders relies on septic systems for disposing of waste water," said Perciasepe. "Propermaintenance of septic systems makes economic sense and is one way individual citizens can help clean up the Chesapeake Bay."
As the end of the rainy season approaches, certain conditions may indicate a septic system in need of maintenance. Water pooling over a system's drainage field or a patch of unusually green grass are indications thata system needs servicing.
"Septic system owners should inspect their systems periodically and have them pumped out at least every three years," Perciasepe said. "A properly maintained system can dispose of household wastes in an environmentally safe manner. A failing system can release pollutants into ground water, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay."
According to 1980 census data, 10,803 of the 32,055 residences in Carroll County are served by septic systems. About 5 percent of the 293,000 systems in the state may be failing.
The Departmentof the Environment works with regional governments to provide low-interest loans to connect areas with a high rate of septic failures to existing sanitary sewer systems.
A septic system may be failing ifdrains and toilets empty slowly or if effluent seeps upward from theground.
Septic system owners should not use their sinks and toilets as garbage cans. Leftover paints, de-greasers, solvents and other household chemicals poured down the drain can damage the system and pollute ground water.
In addition, garbage disposal units should beused sparingly to reduce the grease and solids flowing into septic systems. Grease and solids can clog systems and prevent proper drainage.
It is also important for owners to know the location of their septic systems and keep cars and trucks off the drainage area. Intensepressure can break or crush underground pipes, causing the system to fail.
Information: 1-301-631-3652.
NEW TAX OFFICE OPENS
DATELINE: WESTMINSTER
WESTMINSTER -- Maryland State Comptroller Louis L. Goldstein will join county officials in the opening of a new tax branch office at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at 12 Westminster Shopping Center.
The office will provide taxpayer assistance and accept payment for taxes collected by the state comptroller.
Following the ceremonies, office personnel will demonstrate how they locate unclaimed property.
Refreshments will be served. The center is at the intersection of Route 140 and Englar Road.
Information: 1-301-974-3885.
CENTER AIDS BANGLADESH
DATELINE: NEW WINDSOR
NEW WINDSOR -- The New Windsor Service Center packed 2,785 pounds of medical supplies Monday for shipment to flood and storm victims in Bangladesh.
Terri Meushaw, spokeswoman for the center, said the emergency supplies, valued at more than $186,000, were airlifted to the southeast Asian country, devastated by a cyclone April 30.
Prime Minister Kaleda Zia appealed for international aid to help the millions caught in "this colossal natural calamity."
Hampered by foul weather, inadequate transportation and flooded roads, relief workers in Bangladesh have begun reaching isolated areas, where many people remain without food or medicines.
The center here sent antibiotics, anti-diarrheals, analgesics and cough and cold medicines under an agreement with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, a member of Interchurch Medical Assistance.
The government estimates it needs about $735 million in aid; it has received about $200 million in pledges to date.
By official count,125,730 people were killed and an estimated 10 million were left homeless. A complete accounting of the dead is unlikely because many victims were swept out to sea.
RIGHTS ACTIVIST DIES
DATELINE: WESTMINSTER
WESTMINSTER -- Bonita K. Main, 46, founder of Enabling Social and Church Advocacy for People Enrichment, died Sunday at Carroll County General Hospital after a brief illness.
Main, who ran unsuccessfully for county commissioner in the September primary, also was a member of the Carroll County Community Relations Commission.
"She was one of the most moral, principled people I have ever met," said Richard D. Bucher, commission chairman, who worked with Main since the inception of the group 18 months ago. "It was not enough for her to just believe in her principles. She went out and fought for them, too."
Bucher said he was not surprised when Main decided to run for commissioner, although her desire to make the poor more visible may havebeen a political liability.
"She felt something needed to be donein the county," he said. "She was a champion of the disabled and thehomeless and and an advocate for low-income housing."
He called Main the conscience of the commission and a valued member of the community, who would be missed.
Dennis Foster, pastor of the Westminster Church of God, where she was a member for four years, said her compassion for the poor led to her work with ESCAPE.
The volunteer organization, formed by churches and civic groups, helps the needy locate available services and resources. Foster said helping was Main's ministry.
"She was a giving, caring person, who truly enjoyed helping others," said Foster. "It didn't matter if it was money, clothes orjust a ride, she wanted to do whatever she could."
Main is survived by her mother and two brothers, all of Westminster.
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO
CAPTION: BONITA K. MAIN
Founded service group for poor
WMHPA SEARCH RESUMES
A regional agency that reviews the growthof local health care businesses and institutions will resume a search for an executive director to replace Kathryn Cannan.
Cannan leftthe Western Maryland Health Planning Agency in February to pursue other travel and career opportunities, said Janet Flora, one of the Carroll County representatives on the agency's board. Flora is assistantdirector of the Carroll County Department of Aging.
Flora said the board had put the search on hold while considering reducing the staff to three positions by combining the executive director's job with the that of the planner. The offices are based in Cumberland.
However, Flora said the agency has gotten firmer commitment from its funding sources: the state and counties from Carroll westward; and will reduce the salary from what Cannan had worked up to in her 10 years there.
CANDIDACY ANNOUNCED
DATELINE: MOUNT AIRY
MOUNT AIRY -- A state delegate from Frederick County announced at a Town Council meeting Monday his intention to challenge U.S. Representative Beverly B. Byron, D-6th, in the 1992 primary.
Delegate Thomas H. Hattery, D-Frederick, used the occasion of an annual visit to the council by state legislators to make the announcement.
Hattery was joined at the meeting by Delegate George Littrell, D-Frederick, and the two briefed thecouncil on the recently completed General Assembly session.
Littrell reviewed the budget passed by the legislature, which included funding for the Twin Ridge Elementary School, planned to open this fall.Hattery discussed revised vehicle-emission regulations that will take effect in Frederick County, in which part of the town lies.
ROAD CREWS WORK OT
The County Department of Public Works deployed 75 employees, who logged 388 overtime hours, to help clear fallen trees and debris from 28 county roads following the storm that moved through the area Monday afternoon.
The effort cost the county about $6,000, said public works officials. The money comes out of an emergency fundin the public works budget.
Workers finished clearing county roads by about midnight Monday. Most of the damage from high winds was innorthern Carroll.
SCHOOL BADLY NEEDED
The Manchester mayor and Town Council have written to the County Commissioners, the Board of Education and the superintendent of county schools urging them to make anew Manchester Elementary School a higher priority on the school construction list.
The school is near the bottom of the priority listand is not planned for construction for about another decade.
Even though part of the Manchester school attendance area was redistricted, sending some students to Spring Garden Elementary School in Hampstead, the Manchester elementary will remain overcrowded, said the Manchester officials.
Two portable classroom buildings will remain and the school's population will continue to be among the largest of all the county's elementary schools -- "far exceeding the Board of Education's own goals for elementary school population" -- they said.
Enrollment for the elementary, including kindergarten, is about 958.