Governor Calls School a Model for Future School Construction

With the snip of an oversized pair of gold scissors, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich and a host of state and county dignitaries cut a burgundy and gold ribbon and “officially” opened New Town High School. In doing so, Gov. Ehrlich proclaimed the school and process by which it was built – “on time and under budget,” according to BCPS Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston – as the model for future school construction in the state.

“This is a great day for us to come together at a great school,” Gov. Ehrlich said during the school’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on the sun-splashed morning of Sept. 8. “And this is a great day for all of Baltimore County as we celebrate the opening of this school.”

Led by Gov. Ehrlich and Dr. Hairston, a cavalcade of local and state leaders praised the school and congratulated students in attendance at the ribbon-cutting for assuming their role as the first graduating class of new school. Among those who helped cut the ribbon draped across the building’s front entrance were Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Maryland Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, U.S. Reps. Ben Cardin and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Board of Education President James Sasiadek, along with many other state delegates, School Board members, and a state senator.

The $35 million New Town High, which opened to ninth- and tenth-grade students on Aug. 25, is the first new high school built in Baltimore County in a quarter century. Constructed to help relieve overcrowding at Randallstown High School and Owings Mills High School, New Town is a state-of-the-art high school that dazzled visitors to the ribbon-cutting with its airy, dramatic design, well-appointed media center, inviting food court-style cafeteria, panoramic vistas, and other amenities.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by New Town Principal Dr. Margaret Spicer, began with a presentation of colors by the Randallstown High J.R.O.T.C. under the direction of Commander Stephan Strzemienski, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by New Town student Samantha Pearlman. The Owings Mills High School Chorale under the direction of Mr. E. Robert Swartz presented its stirring rendition of the National Anthem. Several student essays about the new school were introduced by the school’s PTA president, Carl Alexander, and read by students Temi Ayodele and Amber Chase. And Principal Spicer collected citations from both the Governor and from County Executive Smith, who proclaimed Sept. 8 as “New Town High School Day” in Baltimore County. In his remarks, Dr. Hairston applauded those who made the school a reality and singled out for commendation the staff of the school system’s physical facilities staff, including its director, Don Krempel.

“This school came in on time and under budget,” Dr. Hairston said. “That’s a real achievement, and it’s a tribute to the work that it took to make sure that this school was ready for students.” Following the ribbon-cutting, dignitaries made their way to the school’s spacious second-floor media center for refreshments. Those who went on tours of the school peeked into classrooms where the school’s first 437 students were already hard at work.

Among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony were state Senator Paula Hollinger; state Delegates Emmett Burns, Jon Cardin, Adrienne Jones, Dan Morhaim, and Robert Zirkin; County Councilman Kenneth Oliver; and seven Board of Education members – President James Sasiadek, Vice President Janese Murray, and members Don Arnold, Warren Hayman, Michael Kennedy, James Walker, and student member Francesca Cirincione. Former Board member Sanford Teplitzky also attended the ribbon-cutting.

See Event Photos

Story and Photos by Charles Herndon Communications Officer