The hotly debated policy on religious holiday observances in school dominated concerns voiced to the Baltimore County school board's liaison over the last month.
Liaison Nancy Reigle told the board recently that 48 of 85 phone calls or letters logged between Oct. 16 and Nov. 21 dealt with that controversial -- but now resolved -- issue. The next most-popular issue was the "whole language" approach to reading, which prompted 18 calls, she said.
A drop in reading scores for third-graders has caused parents in some areas to question the effectiveness of "whole language," a method that uses literature rather than phonics and primers to teach reading. Mrs. Reigle said her calls indicate "this is going to be an issue that's coming to the forefront."
Appointed in mid-September, Mrs. Reigle made her first report to the board during its regular meeting last week. Besides the 85 contacts last month, she received 27 calls and seven letters during her first month on the job, she said.
Only four people contacted her last month about inclusion, the divisive issue that partially was responsible for the board's creating the liaison position to hear comments and complaints from students, parents, teachers and others.
Last year, Leonard Duffy, then board liaison, reported that inclusion and related concerns about children with disabilities accounted for 19 percent of his calls and letters. Communication problems made up another 19 percent.
But Mrs. Reigle did not list "communication" as a concern. Rather, a sampling of calls shows she received three complaints about principals, three inquiries about magnet schools, two about suspensions, two about transportation and one about a payroll problem.
"I've dealt with some very nice people; I like it very much," said the former county math teacher. "I have not found it to be #F perplexing. I guess I'm learning a lot."
Some callers need answers or help getting around the school system, she said. Mrs. Reigle said others simply want to comment on an issue or situation, as was the case with many who contacted her about the holiday observances.
On Nov. 22, the Baltimore County school board threw out a proposal that would have placed new restrictions on religious holiday practices in the classroom. The board's unanimous vote allowed schools to continue their existing holiday practices.
The liaison was the recommendation of the Baltimore County Schools Task Force, which investigated the thorny issues of inclusion and involuntary administrative transfers during the summer of 1993.
All comments to Mrs. Reigle are confidential. Her phone number is (410) 832-5446, and her address is Box 42008, Towson 21284-2008.