I would like to begin by saying thank you to everyone who contributed time and effort to making Woodholme Elementary possible. From the day we identified the need for this school, the project has been a top priority and has moved quickly to construction.
Senator Hollinger, Delegates Cardin, Zirkin and Morhaim, and our friends at the State worked hard to ensure planning approval and the funding contribution from the State could be secured as quickly as possible.
Our County Council examined every aspect of the school proposal, ironing out complications and appropriating resources so that there would be no delays in our effort to address crowded schools. To get this school built, we needed State funding, we needed County funding, and we needed a good plan. It was a team effort from the very start, and our citizens can be proud of what we accomplished by working together.
I consider the education of our young people to be one of the most important functions of government. In Baltimore County, we have good teachers and good schools; I believe we can make them better. For teachers to teach and students to learn, they need modern facilities and manageable class sizes.
The construction of Woodholme will affect more students than just the ones who will fill these classrooms in the fall of 2005. As we fill the hallways of Woodholme, we make schools like Newtown Elementary more manageable, more comfortable, and more effective. This is an area that has changed significantly in the last few years, and will continue to grow in the future. We have made a commitment to match that growth with additions to our infrastructure and our school system. We knew we couldn't waste time addressing the needs of children in this community, and Woodholme will hit the ground running.
The school is scheduled to open in time for the 2005-2006 school year, just 18 months away. It will follow a design that is proven to provide a quality learning environment. Eighty-two thousand square feet with thirty classrooms for kindergarten through fifth grade, a computer classroom, a media center and capacity for 720 students.
As they develop and change, we will continue to meet the needs of our families and fulfill our obligations as a government. I am very pleased to join with Dr. Joe Hairston, the school board, our senators and delegates and the County Council as we break ground on Woodholme Elementary School.
Revised November 9, 2004
Courthouse 