Schools

Arnold Elementary Parent Seeks Petition to Rebuild School

Her petition would get the reconstruction project rolling quicker.

By D. Frank Smith
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February 18, 2012

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Ceiling tiles have fallen onto the floor of a classroom because of moisture issues at the school. Kerry Petz

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Mist envelopes an Arnold Elementary School classroom after rain.

Credit Kerry Petz

Flooding and standing water is also a problem after heavy rains at the school,

Credit Kerry Petz

The school is built on a hill, and partially underground, which leads to seepage.

Credit Kerry Petz

Ceiling tiles have fallen onto the floor of a classroom because of moisture issues at the school.

Credit Kerry Petz

A dehumidifier is used to keep moisture levels acceptable.

Credit Kerry Petz

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A parent at Arnold Elementary School has organized a petition to get repairs done at the school higher on the priority list.

Kerry Petz has two children at Arnold Elementary School, lives nearby, and is the chairperson of the Citizens Advisory Committee. She's become one of the people parents turn to when they have an issue with the school.

The biggest problems facing the school are flooding and mold when it rains, Petz said.

"It's built on the side of a hill, so half the school is underground. We have terrible flooding and mold in the basement," she said. "We have to run humidifiers all day, every day, to keep some sort of acceptable moisture level."

The school system uses a priority list to determine the order for schools to get construction funding. Arnold Elementary is scheduled to be replaced with an entirely new school, but that wouldn't come until 2016 going by the current rate. If the county funded the school system's requests each year, the school would have already been completed, Petz said.

"Because they never fund the budget in full, we keep getting pushed back year after year."

The petition Petz is circulating online asks school and county officials to fund a feasibility study for construction at Arnold Elementary School. While it's not asking for the full amount, she said this would be the first step in the overall process.

Tammy Williams, one of the first to sign the petition, said it's not the fault of educators that the building problems persist.

"Arnold Elementary is a wonderful school with exemplary staff and leadership. However, the building is less than acceptable. Our children and staff deserve to learn and work in a healthy environment," Williams said.

Petz said she knows that other schools have issues. Edgewater Elementary School parents made a big push this year by showing up in matching T-Shirts to draw attention to issues of mold at the school. But Petz said shows of force like that don't address the root problem- getting the county to fund schools in full.

"Everyone feels they have to fight hard for their school because the conditions are only getting worse, and nothing is changing. We have to come together collectively as schools and go before these bodies," she said. "If they put the money where it's supposed to be we wouldn't be out there screaming every year."

Related Topics: Anne Arundel County Board of Education and Arnold Elementary School

Do you have a child at Arnold Elementary School? What do you think of these conditions? Tell us in the comments.

Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.

kerry petz

1:25 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2012

Please click the link organized petition to sign. Your signature is greatly appreciated!

Jenny corkill

2:42 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2012

Yes you are right, Edgewater Elementary is continuing to speak so that everyone knows that we are the school with the worst building conditions as stated in the MGT Study that the Board of Ed conducted In 2005 and yet we are listed as a priority three. This means it will be at least 2019 before any construction would begin! The health and safety of all children should come first! Studies have shown over and over again that the ability for children to learn is directly related to their learning environment! We are failing our children! Something must be done!

M. Moore

6:31 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2012

Hi Mrs. Petz,
Thank you for fighting for Arnold hopefully this will help get us a new building. Arnold is an amazing place to teach with wonderful families. Good luck and thank you.
Melody Moore

kerry petz

10:57 am on Sunday, February 19, 2012

Over 100 signatures on a holiday weekend!

Thank you so much for your attention to the needs of Arnold. We have gained momentum and want to keep it going. Don't forget to send to friends and family regardless of where they live, people who care can come from all over! Thank you again on behalf of all those who want the best for AES.

More at change.org

Melody Wright

4:43 pm on Sunday, February 19, 2012

Unfortunately these problems are not new and should have been addressed a long time ago. My son is now a sophomore at Broadneck HS. During his time at AES, he was constantly having problems with asthma and allergic conditions. We now know he was allergic to mold. He is a very healthy person now that he is not constantly exposed to mold. Good luck with the petition. We love AES and all of the fine educators in the "sick" building.

Michael Roland Williams

3:43 am on Monday, February 20, 2012

I produced and directed the feature documentary Black Mold Exposure at BlackMoldExposureMovie.com, and unfortunately this situation is all too common in our schools. Budget concerns prevent adequate remediation of problems when they occur. There is a significant 12 minutes school mold segment in the film.

kerry petz

7:57 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012

http://www.change.org/petitions/fund-arnold-elementary-school-now

Over 200 signatures now...people are concerned and we are going to work towards action! Thank you

kerry petz

12:56 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Quote from one signer of the petition:"I worked at Arnold Elementary for two years. I saw firsthand how it really needs to be renovated. Whenever it rained, the classes would flood. It is a wonderful school, with a great staff, and they deserve to work in a better atmosphere. The children definitely deserve a better work enviroment. Please help them reach that goal. Thank you!!"

Janet Norman

1:19 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012

Julie Dettor

2:29 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012

Just to clarify - tomorrow's delegation vote is for a Hybrid School Board - 3 appointed by the governor, 5 elected from each legislative district and 1 student! The hearing is open to the public: from Del. Vitale's Office: Please be advised that the subcommittee members, Delegates Beidel, Schuh, Vitale and Busch will be making a presentation and recommendation at the Anne Arundel County Delegation meeting on Friday March 2, 2012 at 9 a.m. in room 142 of the Lowe House Office Building at 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis. These meetings are open to the public. If you wish to attend, please bring photo ID for security at the main lobby entrance.