Aug 4, 2008 11:22 pm US/Eastern
Balt. Schools Get Report Card Before Classes Begin
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Baltimore schools get a report card before classes begin again.
CBS
Fixing Baltimore's schools. The troubled system's CEO has released a report card just a few weeks before classes get started again.
Dennis Edwards has more on whether the schools are making the grade.
In at least two areas, the CEO says things are on track for the greatest opening ever.
North Avenue would love to forget many things about last school year. There were several highly publicized incidents of violence, including a classroom attack on school teacher Jolita Berry captured on a student's cell phone camera.
But Baltimore City Schools CEO Dr. Andres Alonso expects this year to be different.
"I think that this will be the most successful school opening in our history. Hopefully, the construction will be done before the teachers show up so they have time to plan. The books are in place, the schools have been fixed and people are ready," he said.
Dr. Alonso brought his staff to City Hall for a hearing on progress toward the opening of schools. Nine new and expanded schools are coming online.
Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is looking for an update on the status of building construction projects and a new suspension policy.
"It looks as if we're doing very well on both fronts. A lot of new schools coming online, a lot of good things going on," said Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke.
But in spite of those adjustments, many parents are still concerned about the safety of their children in the coming school year.
"Still a drug presence in South Baltimore. The previous principal at my son's school did very well with trying to keep active with the Baltimore police department and keeping those areas managed and under control," said Chris Thomas.
A second public hearing will take place in the next two weeks.
School starts on Aug. 25.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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