Below is a letter sent by Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman on Jan. 12 to the Howard County Board of Education and Interim Howard County Public School System Superintendent Michael Martirano. It was sent by Kittleman one day after his prior letter, in which the executive expressed his frustration concerning by the board’s reversal of its long-standing position to acquire a site on Mission Road for building future schools.
“Dear Ms. Vaillancourt and Dr. Martirano,
“I wanted to express my appreciation for the Board of Education’s swift action in voting to reconsider the Mission Road property as a potential school site. I believe this property has value as a potential school site to relieve overcrowding in the future, regardless of whether it is used for a 13th high school or an elementary or middle school. I am hopeful that we will be able to work together to resolve the concerns associated with this property.
“I also wanted to inform you of my decision to have the County Recreation & Parks and Public Works departments look more closely into the possibility of building a high school at Troy Park at Elkridge. Unlike Rockburn Park, Troy Park would not require as much environmental remediation and it is not completely built out. While there could be some challenges to constructing a high school at that location, I believe it warrants a more in-depth evaluation. I will have John Byrd, our Recreation & Parks Director, work with your Capital Planning and Operations office to investigate the feasibility of building a high school at Troy Park at Elkridge.
“If it would be helpful, I am more than willing to meet with you and the other members of the Board of Education along with representatives from our Recreation & Parks and Public Works departments to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding either of these two locations.
“Once again, thank you for your continued cooperation as we work together to provide the necessary infrastructure to relieve overcrowding in our schools.”