Instant Equity - and Dr. Doran's Wallet

That was fast.

Within hours of Dr. Starr's State of the Schools presentation here in Montgomery County, accompanied by his call for equity in the school system, we have a prime example of equity in action.

Wootton High School is getting an artificial turf field.

No ongoing construction at the school to bundle the new field.  

According to the memo from the school system,  as a result of a competitive award, a private company agreed to pay $900,000 for the field in return for guaranteed use of the field. 

The Wootton Booster Club agreed to fundraise to the tune of $200,000.  Just for artificial turf.  Even though the field isn't used by all the sports teams, such as swimming, tennis, basketball, etc. 

Wootton parents must be fairly wealthy.  Do they know they committed to this amount?

According to MCPS, but of course. 

At a meeting held last month at the school, attended by 40 parents, almost all favored the field.

Wootton is such a great school.  Imagine 40 parents at your school committing your high school's booster club to raise that amount of money.

I am amazed that the Wootton Booster Club can raise this amount of money.  At my kids schools, our PTSA and booster club budgets were much more modest.

What's in your wallet?  Dr. Doran wants to know.

Here is the memo:

5.2.12 Thomas S Wootton HS Rqst Fund Turf

Hot News from the State of the Schools 2012

This blogger just returned from the State of the Schools presentation at Strathmore with Josh Starr and a cast of MCPS staff and students.

Did you miss the breakfast?  The event was taped and you can catch the video from the comfort of your home.

The big news is on the arts front.  While Strathmore Hall is the premier venue for music and entertainment, Mitch Rales announced that its his intention for Glenstone to be the county's premier visual arts venue.  Glenstone plans to break ground shortly on a new building.

In the interim - everyone is invited to come out and see what Glenstone has to offer.  The public is invited Wednesday through Saturdays.  He didn't mention whether reservations are required, or whether he still has a no blogger policy. 

High school classes are invited to visit on Wednesdays.  Mitch and Emily are so generous, they will pay for the buses to take your favorite high schoolers.

But for kids under the age of 14?  No Glenstone for you.

I guess Glenstone needs to learn another lesson from Strathmore - you need to open your facility to kids of all ages and abilities if you want to be as successful as Strathmore.  The Rales's enterprise has a long way to go before it becomes a go to destination here in the county.

Oh, and if you feel that you missed out on breakfast, that too was a bit overrated - cold coffee and danish platters from a local supermarket chain.  Is this what our kids get for breakfast at school?