Exclusive: Report Finds Multiple Problems Within Balt. County Pub Schools, recommends nearly 200 changes that would save nearly $40 million over five years.

A scathing examination of the Baltimore County Public Schools finds a top-heavy school system with low morale, poor communication, and a dysfunctional school board. The report recommends nearly 200 changes the school system should make.

WYPR obtained a copy of a consultant’s 759-page study that is to be presented to the school board next week.

The report said the structure of the school system’s central office is ineffective and inefficient. It proposes a reorganization and streamlining that would save nearly $40 million over five years.

School Board member Lily Rowe said that’s money that could be used elsewhere.

“$40 million is what it costs to build an entire elementary school,” Rowe said.

Speaking for herself and not for the board, Rowe said the report has worthy suggestions that need to be considered.

The study describes a school board that fosters an atmosphere of discord and unprofessionalism, which results in people not trusting in its leadership.

Among other things, the report recommends the school board adopt a civility policy and attend team-building workshops.

Neither board chair Makeda Scott nor vice chair Julie Henn responded to requests for comment...

https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2021-09-08/exclusive-report-finds-multiple-problems-within-bcps?fbclid=IwAR1dbeUC_8tn0RaSECb0TOnp6pouO02UIoMGFrrm5344U9QQXjdimYRF8cQ