Schools

Catonsville Elementary Will Get New Parking Lot

Contract was approved by the Board of Education Tuesday night.

After some controversy, Catonsville Elementary School will get a new parking lot and improved lighting after all.

A contract for the work was approved at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting.

Parents had been informed at a PTA meeting in April that a new parking lot and other improvements would not occur. Parents said the school had been slated to receive the construction funds the year before, so hearing the project was cut was a shock.

Find out what's happening in Catonsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The school's location on Frederick Road between many businesses makes arrival and dismissal at the school difficult. There is not enough parking at the school and the drop-off loop is often crowded with cars and parents walking to pick up their children. 

"This parking lot is not a luxury item or an unnecessary advancement in technology or school programs," said Danielle Edwards, a parent who spoke at Tuesday's board meeting. "It is a necessity for the safety of our children. We can not continue to ignore what is needed in our current schools while building and improving on our most recent schools."

Find out what's happening in Catonsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To the parents' surprise, the board approved a $605,000 contract to repave the parking lot, bus loop and add lighting to the property. The bid was issued in March.

Baltimore County Councilman Tom Quirk, who attended Tuesday's meeting, said that after receiving numerous calls and emails on the project, he contacted school system staff to make sure the project was funded. The money for the project comes out of the school system's capital budget.

"My whole focus was getting it back in the budget," Quirk said. "I know how badly needed [it] is."

Quirk said he wasn't told by the school system why the project had apparently been cut, but when he approached school system employees and board members, they were receptive.

Ed Doll, president of the school's PTA, said he was pleased to see the project restored, especially since it had been planned for two years.

Construction is expected to start at the end of the school year.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here