South County Schools Set To Speak at Budget Hearing

South county schools will be represented at the school board’s public hearing Thursday night in Annapolis.

Designated as a platform for residents to give feedback about Superintendent Kevin Maxwell's proposed budget for fiscal year 2013, at least two groups of parents plan to attend and address important issues relevant to local schools.

Both and Tracey’s Elementary will have parents attending the meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Parham Building in Annapolis, but each plan to discuss separate issues faced by the local schools.

Emeline Keith has a granddaughter at Edgewater Elementary and said she thinks the school is posing health risks to its students.

“When I was in the school before Christmas vacation, I noted that the ceiling tiles showed deterioration, perhaps due to moisture content making them buckle. The air system didn’t seem to be properly ventilating,” she said. “My educated guess is that there is mold behind the ceiling tiles and behind the walls.”

Keith said other concerned parents from Edgewater Elementary will join her in pushing for renovations sooner than the currently scheduled upgrades in 2016.

In addition to this group, more south county parents from Tracey’s Elementary plan to attend the hearing.

“[Tracey’s Elementary] is in desperate need of another fifth-grade teacher for the 2012-13 school year,” said local parent Stacy Greenstreet.

PTA representative Addie Conte will address the board Thursday night at the hearing, supported by parents wearing “Tracey’s spirit wear,” Greenstreet said.

Edgewater Patch will be at the hearing in Annapolis, providing up-to-the-minute reports from the testimony given. If you plan on attending, send an email to jonathan.moynihan@patch.com.