gregory thornton

City schools' shaky finances were readily apparent before the new CEO took over in July; why is he just starting a public dialogue about them now?

Central office layoffs, elimination of hundreds of teaching and staff positions in a "surplus pool" and other savings totaling $63 million are part of Baltimore schools CEO Gregory Thornton's plan to shrink an estimated $108 million budget deficit.

Thornton needs to provide lawmakers and the public with more details about the system's finances and the effectiveness of its investments in strategies to boost student achievement.

More than 100 of Baltimore's students, parents, teachers and community members on Thursday protested Gov. Larry Hogan's $35 million in proposed budget cuts to city schools.

By Colin Campbell

Feb 19, 2015

City Council members reacted with shock Wednesday to the news the Baltimore City school system has run up a deficit of more than $60 million — even before $35 million in proposed state budget cuts. And they said they will hold hearings on the matter.

Even before proposed state budget cuts, the Baltimore City schools face a shortfall for next year of more than $60 million.

Even before proposed state budget cuts, the Baltimore City schools face a shortfall for next year of more than $60 million.

Students at the Inner Harbor East Academy, operated by Sojourner Douglas College, will relocate to a new building on Wednesday because the schools operators can pay the hearing bill, according city school officials.

By Jessica Anderson

Feb 11, 2015

Maryland General Assembly must revisit K-12 school funding formula that penalizes growth in property values to account for Baltimore's impossible plight

Dozens of Baltimore City College high school students staged a protest Friday that prompted police to briefly shut down the Jones Falls Expressway's North Avenue entrance. They demanded more input in school system policies and deplored treatment by school police..

By Joe Burris

Jan 9, 2015

Mr. Thornton has a reputation of not doing snow days unless circumstances are extreme, If true, it shows that he has a great deal of hubris when it comes to operating BCPSS. Yet, if the schools were open because of Mr. Thornton's hubris, it is an easily more excusable reason than the alternative: He simply didn't know better. Perhaps he did not know that the City of Baltimore does not handle snow well, with plows and salt trucks in short supply. Many of the neighborhoods serviced by BCPSS would

Baltimore City Public Schools put lives at risk by ignoring snow storm and opening schools as usual

Three students were injured – one critically - on their way to school as the first snow of the season spread chaos on roads, causing buses to spin out of control and commuters to spend hours creeping toward work.

A few inches of snow shouldn't cause the level of frustration and traffic gridlock that gripped the Baltimore region Tuesday

Baltimore City schools commissioners voted Wednesday night to close six city schools, including two high schools, to meet current enrollment and spread $980 million in districtwide construction and renovation money as widely as possible.

By Colin Campbell

Dec 17, 2014

Baltimore City Public Schools' five-year high school graduation rate has increased for the fourth straight year, with 73.5 percent of the class of 2013 graduating, the system announced Tuesday.

By Colin Campbell

Dec 16, 2014

On Saturday morning, dozens of Baltimore City Police offers rounded up area youngsters at Dunbar High School, put them in squad cars and took them away – straight to a shopping center in Glen Burnie.

By Joe Burris

Dec 14, 2014

Community members argue that the schools slated for closure in Baltimore are a beacon of hope to children in low-income, crime-ridden areas, and describe them as anchors and sources of pride for their neighborhoods and alumni.

By Colin Campbell

Dec 8, 2014

A local nonprofit asked residents of Baltimore what they think about their public schools and found both optimism and frustration in neighborhoods from Pigtown to Hamilton.

A survey of people living in the city shows that a more inclusive approach to community is needed by the Baltimore public school system.

Baltimore Schools CEO Gregory Thornton tells us he will run the city schools like a business. This certainly sounds reassuring. But cannot help wonder what kind of business will serve as a model for Baltimore's schools.

Raising attendance rates in Baltimore City schools

At the front door of a home near Holabird Academy in southeast Baltimore, City Schools Superintendent Gregory Thornton and the Baltimore Oriole Bird mascot greeted a gaggle of young children with fresh uniforms and backpacks, all ready for the first day of school.

At the front door of a home near Holabird Academy in southeast Baltimore, City Schools Superintendent Gregory Thornton and the Baltimore Oriole Bird mascot greeted a gaggle of young children with fresh uniforms and backpacks, all ready for the first day of school.